Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield has been the topic of hypothesis for the reason that Liverpool supervisor introduced again in late January that he could be leaving his place on the finish of this season because of fatigue after 9 years within the function. The German tactician has gained all of it throughout his time main the Reds with Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup titles to his identify to not point out a superb shot at a UEFA Europa League crown by the tip of this marketing campaign to higher his present runners-up finest in that competitors.
It was surprising, then, that one of many candidates linked with Liverpool’s plan to succeed Klopp is RC Lens head coach Frank Haise who EPL followers would possibly keep in mind as the person who led the French outfit towards Arsenal earlier on this time period’s UCL group stage. Not least to the person himself.
“What can I say? It’s good,” Haise stated just lately. “It’s recognition of the work that has been carried out, a job that I’ve not carried out alone. If we’re speaking about knowledge, outcomes and enjoying fashion — all of that may be a collective effort. It’s recognition for me which we will all take just a little pleasure in. It’s also recognition of the work carried out by the membership over the previous 4 years or so.”
Let’s check out the outsider candidate to observe within the former Borussia Dortmund boss’ footsteps and analyze what it might be that has put him on the Anfield radar.
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Who’s Franck Haise?
Turning 53 subsequent month and hailing from the Normandy area of France, Haise’s enjoying profession was largely unremarkable beginning with hometown membership FC Rouen 1899 and taking in two spells with Stade Lavallois earlier than ending professionally with Angers SCO in 2004. Six years with Stade Rennais’ youth academy inbetween two spells as a head coach at regional degree led him to FC Lorient the place he coached the reserves, was assistant to Sylvain Ripoll after which Bernard Casoni earlier than shifting on to Lens.
Haise led Les Sang et Or’s reserves for 3 years earlier than stepping as much as substitute Philippe Montanier in 2020 simply earlier than COVID-19 and its wider affect devastated French soccer. It was simply sufficient time to maneuver Lens into second spot in Ligue 2, which was sufficient to be promoted again to Ligue 1 after 5 years within the second tier and Haise was confirmed as full-time head coach upon completion of his skilled soccer teaching {qualifications} in Might of that very same yr.
What has he carried out with Lens?
Lens’ return to Le Championnat has been nothing in need of outstanding with the Northerners no decrease than seventh in every of Haise’s three full seasons in cost and searching more likely to end in that candy spot once more and ensure a return to Europe after this marketing campaign’s journey throughout the Champions League and Europa League. Inevitably, different golf equipment began to have a look at Lens’ magic man together with OGC Good who managed to tempt sporting director Florent Ghisolfi away from Stade Bollaert Delelis, however an improve to the joint function of common supervisor and head coach was sufficient to maintain Haise with the membership for his greatest achievement but.
The excessive level beneath the French tactician up to now has been ending second in Ligue 1 in 2023 only one single level behind Paris Saint-Germain regardless of a staggering distinction in finances which earned Haise the UNFP head coach of the yr award. Nevertheless, he has since stepped away from the overall supervisor function and has reverted to being head coach as soon as extra: “It was a private determination which I had been reflecting on for a couple of weeks — not less than since late 2023,” he stated of the transfer. “I made this determination at the beginning to protect my power. I’m not common supervisor so not paid the identical, however that’s regular. It’s not due to stress. If it was, I’d not be teaching. I can deal with stress, however you must take heed to your self and to your physique sooner or later.”
Haise has been linked with jobs outdoors of France earlier than with Brighton and Hove Albion probably the most notable hyperlinks after Graham Potter’s departure however Roberto De Zerbi obtained the job. Rennes have been linked with an try to carry him again to Brittany whereas Olympique de Marseille might be a summer time chance as a long-term alternative for Jean-Louis Gasset. Liverpool, although, is no doubt the largest membership to have been linked with Haise up to now. Assuming Lens return to Europe after their disappointing UEL exit by the hands of SC Freiburg just lately, Les Artesiens would possibly really feel assured of getting him to conform to an improved contract with added funding into the squad.
How does he set the group up?
Stylistically, a lot of what Haise has carried out with Lens since returning to Ligue 1 has centered on a tough 3-4-3 form which is extra exactly a 3-4-2-1 once you have a look at the three most attacking gamers. A lot of the width comes from wing backs who chip in defensively in addition to offensively, whereas the primary energy of the group is channeled by the center with three central defenders and two central midfielders with two supporting attackers for creativity making up the backbone of the XI.
This method places main emphasis on the participant on the tip of the assault which is why extremely rated Montpellier HSC prospect Elye Wahi was chosen to switch Lois Openda after the Belgium worldwide left for RB Leipzig the place he has continued to excel. Regardless of various key departures which have contributed in direction of Lens’ spectacular enterprise acumen, Haise has discovered a approach to hold his group aggressive with the replacements made accessible to him or options from inside the ranks.
Which gamers have flourished beneath him?
The listing is prolonged, however Openda wanted only one season beneath Haise earlier than being offered on to Leipzig for nearly $45 million which is roughly thrice what Lens paid Vitesse Arnhem for him 12 months earlier. Seko Fofana was one in all Ligue 1’s best-performing midfielders for 3 seasons earlier than shifting on to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia once more for round thrice the quantity that the Northern membership paid for him upon their topflight return with $27.5 million representing Lens’ all-time second finest sale after Openda. Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure was a youth academy graduate and in addition fetched practically $25 million whereas defender Loic Bade vaulted to Rennes after only one yr beneath Haise having arrived as a free agent and leaving for practically $20 million.
Jonathan Clauss and Brice Samba have been known as up by France head coach Didier Deschamps whereas enjoying for Lens beneath Haise and the previous is now exceling for Olympique de Marseille. Facundo Medina and Kevin Danso are commonly known as up at worldwide degree because of their enchancment with Lens whereas Wahi, Andy Diouf and Angelo Fulgini are the following gems anticipated to flourish beneath Haise — ought to he keep. Maybe probably the most spectacular of all, although, not less than in efficiency phrases, has been the consistency extracted from primarily Ligue 2 journeymen Jonathan Gradit and Florian Sotoca who stay common starters even now, together with cut price signing and versatile Poland worldwide Przemyslaw Frankowski who was with Chicago Hearth in Main League Soccer earlier than.
How might he swimsuit Liverpool?
Haise has been surrounded by individuals who know English soccer effectively since his ascension to the job with Lens. His former assistant Alou Diarra performed for Liverpool throughout his profession in addition to West Ham United and Charlton Athletic whereas his most important proper hand man Lilian Nalis spent practically 10 years in England with the likes of Leicester Metropolis and Sheffield United amongst others. Ghisolfi, who had a say in changing Montanier with Haise again in 2020, has additionally been linked with Liverpool and the Good man labored effectively because the architect for the foundations upon which Haise has managed to assemble this strong Lens aspect. The overall supervisor function has proved to be extra taxing than anticipated, however Lens needed to supply that and a job change to Gregory Thil to maintain them from following Ghisolfi to Good. Thil has since left however Haise has secured notable outcomes with a lot of the group constructed by Ghisolfi together with a well-known 2-1 dwelling win over Arsenal on this yr’s group stage and eliminating Sevilla from Europe solely.
Is Haise Klopp succession materials?
Following on from Klopp might be an unenviable activity for even probably the most skilled of managers though Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso has an edge as a former Liverpool participant and an unbelievable Bundesliga marketing campaign up to now. Questions will probably be requested of Haise’s European pedigree, but it surely needs to be famous that he ended a 15-year await continental soccer at Stade Bollaert Delelis and led Lens from Ligue 2 to second place and only a single level behind the juggernaut of PSG. It won’t include the titles that Alonso appears destined to win with Leverkusen this time period but it surely deserves larger credit score than is commonly given.
Nevertheless, arguably the largest problem for anyone following on from Klopp might be attempting to harness the Anfield crowd and the passionate Liverpool fanbase. As with the late Gerard Houllier earlier than him, Haise has been ready effectively for English soccer by Lens’ cult supporters who’re among the many most fanatical in France and the membership comes from a comparatively poor area of the nation. By way of similarities, Haise’s restoration of Lens will not be too dissimilar from Klopp’s turnaround of Borussia Dortmund and time will inform if the Frenchman could make the group extra aggressive in Europe if he stays past this season. One factor is for sure, although, and that’s that the hyperlinks between Haise and Liverpool should not as laughable and straightforward to dismiss as some have made out.
