EXCL: Surprise French manager could be good fit for Liverpool, PSG would consider 'favourable' Lamine Yamal transfer, Theo Hernandez to Bayern, & more

This week's column on the biggest stories from French football.

Why Franck Haise to Liverpool makes more sense than you might think

Although we’ve heard a lot about names like Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi, Lens manager Franck Haise has also been linked as one potential outsider for the Liverpool job after his impressive work in Ligue 1.

My understanding is that, yes, there has been interest in him going back a couple of years now, not just from Liverpool but also from other clubs across Europe. Haise has spoken about the Liverpool links publicly and said he’s quite flattered, and that it gives validation to the good work that he and his staff and players have done so far.

I think it’s important, however, to flag up precisely what Haise has achieved, as there’ll be some fans in England whose first response to links with Liverpool might be “who’s he?” and “what’s he achieved?” and I don’t think you can underplay the massive role that he’s played in the restoration of Lens to being one of France’s major clubs once again.