Valérien Ismaël Named Le Havre’s New Head Coach

If you follow football, the name will ring a bell… Valérien Ismaël, an international-level defender who came through the academy at RC Strasbourg and played professionally not only for the Alsace club but also for Crystal Palace, RC Lens, Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich, building an impressive list of honours along the way, is far from an unknown. He even faced the Hacmen several times in the 1990s.

But at 51, it is of course as a coach that Valérien Ismaël arrives at HAC. Having learned his trade in Germany (Nuremberg, Wolfsburg), with spells in Greece, Austria and Turkey as well, he has in recent years led clubs in England (Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Blackburn Rovers), building up valuable experience, including of “emergency situations”, which could prove very useful in the weeks ahead…

The search for a new head coach, led by HAC’s President and Sporting Director, was also supported by several areas of expertise within Blue Crow Sports Group. The choice of the new Ciel & Marine (sky blue and navy) coach meets several key criteria discussed in recent days, and the timing of his arrival coincides with the professional squad’s return to training.

Describing himself as hard-working, insisting on the respect everyone must show the club and every part of it, from the administrative staff to the supporters, and a believer in the HAC project, Valérien Ismaël will be joined by his assistants Dennis Baraznowski and Mo Sahli, along with goalkeeping coach Charles Cieslinsky. He will draw on his extensive experience to carry out the mission entrusted to him until the end of the season.

Welcome, Coach!

Translated from “Valérien Ismaël nommé nouvel entraîneur du HAC”, published in French by Le Havre Athletic Club on 12 November 2026.