‘I would be the happiest coach’ – Franck Haise on Lens’ surprise move for Raphaël Varane | OneFootball

Franck Haise has addressed the rumours linking Raphaël Varane (31) with a move back to RC Lens. The defender’s contract at Manchester United expires this summer and there were reports at the start of the week that Lens were interested in swooping on the soon-to-be free agent.

Varane was offered his professional debut at Les Sang et Or where his breakthrough season earned him a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. From there, Varane became widely recognised in his peek as one of the best defenders in the world.

At Madrid, Varane won the league three times and the Champions League on four occasions, and it was during his time in Spain that he became a world champion with France at the 2018 World Cup. His time at Manchester United has been less successful, but still, trophies have followed when he helped win the 2023 League Cup Final.

When asked about the stories linking his club to their former player, Haise could hardly hide his delight at the prospect of managing the serial winner, “Obviously, Varane interests me by his qualities as a player, as a leader, and by his human qualities; what he represents and what he is capable of giving. If there were a possibility [to sign the centre-back], I would be the happiest coach.”

GFFN | Nick Hartland