08.05.2020 17:07 h

Promoted Lens reward manager Haise with two-season deal

Franck Haise was rewarded with a two-year contract extension as coach of Lens on Friday, after just two matches in the role in which he won promotion to Ligue 1.

"Lens has chosen to continue its collaboration with Franck Haise as coach of the first team for the next two seasons," the club said in a statement.

Haise stepped up from second-team coach to replace Philippe Montanier in February with the club third in Ligue 2.

In his first game in charge, Lens won away to struggling Paris FC to climb to second, which brings automatic promotion. They then beat last-placed Orleans before the coronavirus pandemic brought the French season to a halt.

That was enough to secure promotion when the French season was declared over last week.

"Frank was not a default choice," said Arnaud Pouille, the club's general manager. "Our priority was to choose a coach who embodies the values of RC Lens. His balanced but forward-looking playing philosophy fits the DNA of Racing."

Haise said: "I would have liked us to finish this season and not only to go up, but to go up with a our fans and in a totally sporting manner."