Lucien Favre

On 14 February 2011, he was named as the successor of Michael Frontzeck as head coach of Borussia M?nchengladbach.[4] He took over when the team was sitting at the bottom of the league with only 16 points after 22 match days. He instigated an immediate improvement in form and although the club still struggled, they eventually managed a narrow win against VfL Bochum in a two-legged relegation play-off to secure their place in the Bundesliga.

The following season the team surpassed all expectations by finishing in fourth place thereby qualifying for the early stages of the Champions League. The team's brand of fluid, counter-attacking football impressed pundits and press alike and was typified by an emphatic double win over Bayern Munich both home and away.

Coaching philosophy

Favre's teams play a dynamic, quick and attacking minded football where ball possession and change of tempo alternate. This attractive style of play has brought results in every club he has managed. Furthermore, Favre is very skillful tactically, leaving his opponents struggling to penetrate his well-organized sides.

Favre is also well known for his ability to develop talented young players and introduce them into the first team. Under his leadership, Blerim D?emaili, Almen Abdi, Steve von Bergen and G?khan Inler made their debut with the Swiss national team before signing for foreign clubs. In 2007, FC Z?rich became Swiss champions with an average age of twenty-one years and a half. He is also credited with raising the game of German starlet Marco Reus whose fine performances procured a call up to the German national team and a high-priced move to league champions Borussia Dortmund.

Posted By: Larry Hagman, May 9, 18:31:18