Valérien Ismaël
{{Short description|French football manager (born 1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Valérien Ismaël
| image = FC RB Salzburg gegen LASK (14. Februar 2020) 50.jpg
| caption = Ismaël coaching LASK in 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|9|28|df=y}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur6014.html |title=Valérien Ismaël |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=9 March 2025 |language=fr}}
| birth_place = Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Blackburn Rovers (head coach)
| youthyears1 = 1982–1984
| youthclubs1 = AS Holtzheim
| youthyears2 = 1984–1992
| youthclubs2 = Strasbourg
| years1 = 1993–1998
| clubs1 = Strasbourg
| caps1 = 87
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 1998
| clubs2 = Crystal Palace
| caps2 = 13
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1998–2002
| clubs3 = Lens
| caps3 = 83
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2001
| clubs4 = → Strasbourg (loan)
| caps4 = 9
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2002–2004
| clubs5 = Strasbourg
| caps5 = 26
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2003–2004
| clubs6 = → Werder Bremen (loan)
| caps6 = 32
| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2004–2005
| clubs7 = Werder Bremen
| caps7 = 32
| goals7 = 4
| years8 = 2005–2007
| clubs8 = Bayern Munich
| caps8 = 31
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2006–2007
| clubs9 = Bayern Munich II
| caps9 = 7
| goals9 = 2
| years10 = 2007–2009
| clubs10 = Hannover 96
| caps10 = 18
| goals10 = 0
| totalcaps = 338
| totalgoals = 18
| nationalyears1 = 1993–1994
| nationalteam1 = France U18
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 1996–1997
| nationalteam2 = France U21
| nationalcaps2 = 12
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| manageryears1 = 2011–2013
| managerclubs1 = Hannover 96 II
| manageryears2 = 2013–2014
| managerclubs2 = VfL Wolfsburg II
| manageryears3 = 2014
| managerclubs3 = 1. FC Nürnberg
| manageryears4 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs4 = VfL Wolfsburg II
| manageryears5 = 2016–2017
| managerclubs5 = VfL Wolfsburg
| manageryears6 = 2018
| managerclubs6 = Apollon Smyrnis
| manageryears7 = 2019–2020
| managerclubs7 = LASK
| manageryears8 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs8 = Barnsley
| manageryears9 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs9 = West Bromwich Albion
| manageryears10 = 2022
| managerclubs10 = Beşiktaş
|manageryears11 = 2023–2024
|managerclubs11 = Watford
|manageryears12 = 2025–
|managerclubs12 = Blackburn Rovers
}}
Valérien Alexandre Ismaël (born 28 September 1975) is a French professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of EFL Championship club Blackburn Rovers.
A centre-back, Ismaël played for Strasbourg, Crystal Palace, Lens, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich and Hannover 96. As a player, he won the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue twice, the Bundesliga twice, as well as the DFB-Pokal on two occasions. Following his retirement, he moved into management, first as a reserve coach for a number of clubs before moving into senior management with spells at 1. FC Nürnberg, VfL Wolfsburg and with Austrian Bundesliga club LASK, before spells with English Championship clubs Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion and Watford.
Early years
Ismaël was born to a Guadeloupean father{{cite web |url=http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/bremens-isma-l-trifft-auf-ungeliebte-landsleute-deutscher-mit-akzent,10810590,10260996.html |title=Deutscher mit Akzent |last=Bremer |first=Sven |date=23 February 2005 |website=Berliner Zeitung |access-date=6 September 2014 |language=de |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202023024/http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/bremens-isma-l-trifft-auf-ungeliebte-landsleute-deutscher-mit-akzent,10810590,10260996.html |url-status=dead }} and an Alsatian mother,{{cite web |url=http://www.nordbayern.de/sport/valerien-ismael-bekommt-die-freigabe-fur-den-club-1.3686523|title= Valerien Ismael bekommt die Freigabe für den Club |date=6 June 2014 |website=nordbayern.de |publisher=Nürnberger Nachrichten/Nürnberger Zeitung/Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nurnberg GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=7 September 2014 | language = de}} growing up in Strasbourg on the border with Germany. Ismaël's grandfather is German.{{cite web |url=http://www.bild.de/sport/2006/sport/bayern-ismael-nationalmannschaft-173198.bild.html |title=Ismael: Er sollte für Deutschland spielen | first =O. | last1 = Greitner | first2 = K. | last2 = Traemann | first3 = F. | last3 = Seidel |date=3 March 2006 |website=Bild.de |publisher=Axel Springer Verlag |access-date=2 August 2014 | language = de}}
Playing career
=Strasbourg=
Ismaël made his debut for Strasbourg against Cannes on 15 January 1994. He went on to make 77 league appearances in his first spell with the club. Additionally, he appeared in five UEFA Cup matches, scoring once.
=Crystal Palace=
Ismaël was signed by Crystal Palace for £2.75 million from Strasbourg in January 1998, making him the most expensive player in the club's history.{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Dyer |title=Palace move for £2.75m French star |url=http://www.soccernet.com/english/news/ENG-CPFC--106-01598.HTM |website=Soccernet |date=15 January 1998 |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990222004744/http://www.soccernet.com/english/news/ENG-CPFC--106-01598.HTM |archive-date=22 February 1999}} However, he only played 13 games for the London club, before moving back to his native France to sign for Lens in October 1998.
=Lens=
Ismaël's time at Lens saw him regain his form after his brief spell in England. He played 83 times, scoring five goals. He also had a short loan spell at his former club Strasbourg during the 2000–01 Division 1 season. The club were relegated that season, but Ismaël played in the 2001 Coupe de France Final, in which Strasbourg defeated Amiens on penalties.{{cite web |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/match/86380|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204150942/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/match/86380|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2012|title=Strasbourg 0-0 Amiens|publisher=lequipe.fr |date=26 May 2001 |access-date=28 July 2016}} He returned to Lens for the 2001–02 Division 1 season where he played 33 times and scored four goals. He was sold back to Strasbourg for the following season following their promotion back to the top tier.
=Back to Strasbourg=
On moving back to his former club for a third spell, Ismaël was appointed captain and led the club to 13th position. In his last spell at Strasbourg, he made 26 appearances and scored twice. He appeared for his home club a total of 167 times in all competitions and scored seven goals.
=Werder Bremen=
Ismaël was loaned to Werder Bremen in 2003 where he appeared 32 times, scoring four goals. Bremen went on to win the German double in his first season at the club. He was sold to Werder prior to the following season, where once again he appeared 32 times, scoring four goals. However, Werder could only finish third. He made seven appearances in the UEFA Champions League as well, scoring twice.
=Bayern Munich=
Ismaël arrived at Bayern Munich in July 2005. He received a red card on his debut for the club, but finished the season winning the German league and cup double for the second time in his career. However, he only featured once in the 2006–07 campaign for the club due to his long term injury and was eventually released to join Hannover 96 in January 2008.{{cite web | url = http://www.fcbayern.t-com.de/en/news/news/2007/14376.php | title = Valerien Ismael set for Hannover switch | work = fcbayern.t-com.de | access-date = 5 December 2007 | date = 5 December 2007}} He made 31 league appearances for Bayern without scoring and eight Champions league appearances, scoring once against A.C. Milan in a 4–1 loss.
=Hannover 96=
Ismaël was brought to the club in order to strengthen the struggling defence and to provide leadership for his new teammates.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/auf-ismael-ruht-die-hoffnung-167668/artikel | title = Auf Ismael ruht die Hoffnung |trans-title=Hopes are pinned on Ismael | publisher = Kicker| language = de | access-date = 28 December 2008 | date = 17 December 2007}} His first game for Hannover was against his previous club, Bayern, playing well for 45 minutes and helping his team maintain a 0–0. After he was substituted with a minor injury, Hannover conceded three goals in the second half.{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807733/saison/2007-08/naviindex/1 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080504160819/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/spielpaarungsbericht/object/807733/saison/2007-08/naviindex/1 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 May 2008 | title = Luca Toni weltmeisterlich | publisher = Kicker | language = de | access-date = 28 December 2008 | date = 17 February 2008}} After overcoming the injury, he became a key player for the team. Due to further injuries he retired on 5 October 2009. In total he made 18 appearances for Hannover.
International career
Ismaël made appearances for the French under-18 and under-21 teams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/valerian-ismael-1506/|title=Valérien Ismaël}} When he was not called up to the senior team, it was reported that he wanted to represent Germany.{{cite news | url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/bayern-muenchen-ismael-wird-nicht-fuer-deutschland-spielen-1259129.html | title = Ismael wird nicht für Deutschland spielen | newspaper = Faz.net | language = de | publisher = Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung | date = 30 August 2005 | access-date = 1 August 2014}} However, he was rejected by the German Football Association (DFB) because there was not enough connection to Germany. In an interview with the German sports magazine Kicker, Ismael said: "I am French, and I still hope for my chance to play for France. I'm feeling fine in Germany, but I do not want to volunteer. Only if Klinsmann wants me, then we would have to talk about it."{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/ismael_weiter-fuer-frankreich-319984/artikel |title=Ismael: Weiter für Frankreich | first = Bernd | last = Salamon |date=30 August 2005 |website=kicker online |publisher=Olympia Verlag GmbH |access-date=2 August 2014 | language = de}} If former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann was interested in him, Ismaël wanted to check his ancestry.
Gernot Rohr said of the exclusion of Ismaël from the senior team: "Although Valérien was a U-21 international, he was never an option for the senior team. Of course, Valérien is one of the better centre-backs, but he was never so striking that he could compete with the first-team regulars."{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/ismael_die-unerfuellte-liebe-320182/artikel |title=Ismael: Die unerfüllte Liebe | first = Bernd | last = Salamon |date=5 September 2005 |website=kicker online |publisher=Olympia Verlag GmbH |access-date=2 August 2014 | language = de}} Ismaël saw it differently: "There used to be big names, okay. But today, I am no worse than those who are there." After Ismaël offered his services in October 2005 again to the Germany national team, he again received a rejection.{{cite web |url=https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article170268/Klinsmann-erteilt-Ismael-eine-Absage.html |title=Klinsmann erteilt Ismael eine Absage |date=12 October 2005 |website= Welt Online |publisher=Axel Springer Verlag |access-date=2 August 2014 | language = de}} Later in March 2006, the German Football Association announced that Ismaël was not eligible to play for Germany because he had played a U-21 European Championship qualifier for France in August 1996. According to FIFA rules, he would have needed German citizenship back in 1996 to have made the switch.
It was reported that Togo also wanted to call up Ismaël to their squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, given his former wife is partially Togolese descent,{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4491654.stm | title = Togo want Ismael | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2 December 2005 | access-date = 25 April 2012}} but he denied the approach and interest in the offer.{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4496704.stm | title = Frenchman denies Togo approach | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 4 December 2005 | access-date = 25 April 2012}}
Managerial career
=Hannover 96=
On 10 October 2009, Ismaël became the assistant general manager of Hannover 96. From 24 June 2010, he was also board member of the club.{{cite web | url = http://www.neuepresse.de/Sport/Hannover-96/Uebersicht/Ismael-neuer-Sportmanager-Moravek-neuer-Zehner-von-Hannover-96 | title = Ismaël neuer Sportmanager, Moravek neuer Zehner von Hannover 96 | date = 24 June 2010 | publisher = neuepresse.de | language = de | access-date = 24 June 2010 | archive-date = 8 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111008015223/http://www.neuepresse.de/Sport/Hannover-96/Uebersicht/Ismael-neuer-Sportmanager-Moravek-neuer-Zehner-von-Hannover-96 | url-status = dead }} On 28 November 2011, he took over the job of manager of the second team, Hannover 96 II.{{cite web|title=Hannover 96 II » Trainerhistorie|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/hannover-96-ii/9/|publisher=World Football|access-date=20 January 2014}} In the 2011–12 season, Hannover II finished in sixth place with a record of 14 wins, eight draws and 12 losses.{{cite web|title=Germany » Regionalliga Nord 2011/2012 » 34. Round|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/regionalliga-nord-2011-2012-spieltag/34/|publisher=World Football|access-date=15 December 2016}} During the 2012–13 season, Hannover II finished in fourth place with a record of 16 wins, six draws, and eight losses.{{cite web|title=Germany » Regionalliga Nord 2012/2013 » 34. Round|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/regionalliga-nord-2012-2013-spieltag_2/34/|publisher=World Football|access-date=15 December 2016}} Ismaël left on 30 June 2013.
=VfL Wolfsburg II=
Ismaël was manager of VfL Wolfsburg II between 1 July 2013 and 5 June 2014.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg II » Trainerhistorie|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/vfl-wolfsburg-ii/9/|publisher=World Football|access-date=20 January 2014}} Wolfsburg II won the Regionalliga Nord in the 2013–14 season{{cite web|title=Germany » Regionalliga Nord 2013/2014 » 34. Round|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/regionalliga-nord-2013-2014-spieltag/34/|publisher=World Football|access-date=15 December 2016}} and lost to Sonnenhof Großaspach in the promotion play-off.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg II » Dates & results 2013/2014|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/vfl-wolfsburg-ii/2014/3/|publisher=World Football|access-date=20 January 2014}}
=1. FC Nürnberg=
File:Valerien Ismael 2014 (2).jpg manager in 2014]]
Ismaël became the new head coach of 1. FC Nürnberg on 5 June 2014{{cite news|title=FCN bestätigt Ismaël als neuen Trainer|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/-liga-fcn-bestaetigt-ismal-als-neuen-trainer-1.1987622|access-date=7 June 2014|publisher=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=5 June 2014|language=de}} and won his first match in charge against Erzgebirge Aue 1–0 on 3 August 2014.{{cite news|title=Aufsteiger Heidenheim erobert gleich die Spitze|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article130845631/Aufsteiger-Heidenheim-erobert-gleich-die-Spitze.html|access-date=5 August 2014|publisher=Die Welt|date=3 August 2014|language=de}} He went on to lose eight of his next 13 matches{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg - Termine|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2014-15|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=15 December 2016|language=de}} and was sacked on 10 November 2014;{{cite news|title=Nürnberg stellt Ismael frei|url=https://www.kicker.de/nuernberg-stellt-ismael-frei-615123/artikel|access-date=10 November 2014|publisher=kicker|date=10 November 2014|language=de}} three days after a 2–1 loss to SV Sandhausen.{{cite news|title=Wooten hievt den SVS am Club vorbei|url=https://www.kicker.de/sandhausen-gegen-nuernberg-2014-bundesliga-2407647/analyse|access-date=10 November 2014|publisher=kicker|date=7 November 2014|language=de}} He finished with a record of four wins, two draws, and eight losses.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=27 October 2014|language=de}}
=Return to VfL Wolfsburg II=
Ismaël returned to VfL Wolfsburg II on 1 June 2015.{{cite news|title=Vorgänger wird Nachfolger: Ismael übernimmt Wolfsburg II|url=https://www.kicker.de/vorgaenger-wird-nachfolger_ismael-uebernimmt-wolfsburg-ii-628278/artikel|access-date=15 December 2016|publisher=kicker|date=1 June 2015|language=de}} Repeating the success of his first tenure with the team, Wolfsburg II won the 2015–16 Regionalliga Nord.{{cite web|title=Regionalliga Nord - Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/regionalliga-nord/spieltag/2015-16/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=15 December 2016|language=de}} Once again though, Wolfsburg II lost in the promotion play-off, this time to Jahn Regensburg.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg II|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg-ii/spielplan/regionalliga-nord/2015-16|access-date=15 December 2016|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|language=de}}
= VfL Wolfsburg =
First-team head coach Dieter Hecking was sacked on 17 October 2016 and was replaced by Ismaël on an interim basis.{{cite news|last1=Hallam|first1=Mark|date=17 October 2016|title=Wolfsburg and coach Dieter Hecking part ways|publisher=Deutsche Welle|url=http://www.dw.com/en/wolfsburg-and-coach-dieter-hecking-part-ways/a-36070827|access-date=15 December 2016}} In his first four games in charge, Wolfsburg managed to win twice.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/spielplan/bundesliga/2016-17|access-date=15 December 2016|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|language=de}} Ismaël was promoted from interim coach to permanent head coach on 7 November 2016.{{cite news|last1=Uersfeld|first1=Stephan|date=7 November 2016|title=Wolfsburg confirm Valerien Ismael as new head coach after Freiburg win|publisher=ESPN|agency=ESPN FC|url=http://www.espnfc.us/vfl-wolfsburg/story/2991513/wolfsburg-confirm-valerien-ismael-as-new-head-coach-after-freiburg-win|access-date=15 December 2016}} Ismaël was sacked on 26 February 2017.{{cite news|date=26 February 2017|title=Wolfsburg dismiss coach Valerien Ismael|publisher=Deutsche Welle|url=http://www.dw.com/en/wolfsburg-dismiss-coach-valerien-ismael/a-37722979|access-date=26 February 2017}}
=Apollon Smyrnis=
On 29 May 2018, it was announced that Ismaël had signed a two-year deal with Super League Greece club Apollon Smyrnis.{{cite news |title=Ismaël wird Trainer in Griechenland |url=https://www.t-online.de/region/id_83852136/valerien-ismael-wird-trainer-in-griechenland.html |website=T-online |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=12 December 2019 |language=de}} However, after only managing them for one league game against Larissa on 25 August 2018, in which Apollon lost 0–1 at home, he was dismissed from his managerial post six days later due to disagreements with the club's president.{{cite news |title=Valérien Ismaël quitte l'Apollon Smyrnis et accuse son président de l'avoir "menacé" |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Valerien-ismael-quitte-l-apollon-smyrnis-et-accuse-son-president-de-l-avoir-menace/935616 |magazine=France Football |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=12 December 2019 |language=fr}}
=LASK=
Ismaël succeeded Oliver Glasner as the new head coach and sporting director of Austrian team LASK for the 2019–20 Austrian Football Bundesliga.{{cite web | url = https://www.lask.at/herzlich-willkommen-beim-lask-valerien-ismael/ | title = Herzlich Willkommen beim LASK Valérien Ismaël! | language = de | publisher = LASK | date = 27 May 2019 | access-date = 27 May 2019}} In the first few months of his tenure, he led the team to the best start in the club's history (17 points from 8 games). He also led LASK to a first ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League play-offs. After beating favourites Basel, the team fell short against Club Brugge. In LASK's first ever appearance in the UEFA Europa League, the team won the group with Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven and Rosenborg. After beating AZ in the round of 32, LASK lost against Manchester United. After the Covid-19 induced pause of football, LASK trained a couple of days too early with full body contact. It was strongly criticised by other clubs and the media. Four points were deducted for breaching the Covid-19 rules and the club finished in fourth position in the league. On 11 July 2020, LASK parted ways with Ismaël. Dominik Thalhammer succeeded him.{{Cite web|date=11 July 2020|title=Nach Corona-Eklat: Ex-Bayern-Star verliert Trainerposten|url=https://www.express.de/sport/fussball/nach-corona-eklat-ex-bayern-star-verliert-trainerposten-36999670|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Express.de|language=de-DE}}
=Barnsley=
When Gerhard Struber decided to join New York Red Bulls in autumn 2020, Barnsley hired Ismaël as his successor. He led them to a play-off position in the 2020–21 EFL Championship.{{cite web|date=17 May 2021|title=Barnsley owner Chien Lee excited to see fans return for Championship play-off semi-final against Swansea|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11713/12309375/barnsley-owner-chien-lee-excited-to-see-fans-return-for-championship-play-off-semi-final-against-swansea|access-date=6 November 2021|work=Sky Sports}}
=West Bromwich Albion=
On 24 June 2021, Ismaël joined recently relegated Championship side West Bromwich Albion, signing a four-year contract and becoming the club's first French manager.{{cite news |title=Albion appoint Valérien Ismaël as Head Coach |url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/albion-appoint-valerien-ismael-head-coach |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C. |date=24 June 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021}} On 2 February 2022, Ismaël left the club by mutual consent after a poor run of form.{{Cite web|title=Club statement: Valérien Ismaël {{!}} West Bromwich Albion|url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/club-statement-valerien-ismael|website=West Bromwich Albion F.C.|date=2 February 2022|access-date=2 February 2022}}
=Beşiktaş=
On 25 March 2022, Ismaël became the coach of Turkish club Beşiktaş. Prior to his arrival, the team was temporarily coached by one of the youth coaches, Önder Karaveli. Ismael's contract ran until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=Beşiktaş'a Hoş Geldin Valérien Alexandre Ismaël |url=https://bjk.com.tr/tr/haber/83317/besiktasa-hos-geldin-valerien-alexandre-ismal.html |publisher=Besiktas JK |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=25 March 2022}}
=Watford=
On 10 May 2023, Ismaël joined EFL Championship club Watford as the club's new head coach, after the departure of Chris Wilder.{{Cite web |title=Official: Ismaël Appointed Head Coach |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/official-ismael-appointed-head-coach |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=www.watfordfc.com |language=en}} On 9 March 2024, Ismaël was dismissed as head coach of Watford, after only one win in ten league games; his last game in charge was a 2–1 home defeat to Coventry City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66680954|title=Watford: Tom Cleverley named interim boss after Valerien Ismael sacked|date=9 March 2024|work=BBC Sport}}
=Blackburn Rovers=
On 25 February 2025, Ismaël was appointed head coach of Championship club Blackburn Rovers on a three-and-half-year deal. {{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/february/25/welcome-valerien-ismael/|title=Welcome, Valérien Ismaël|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=25 February 2025|accessdate=25 February 2025}}
Personal life
Ismaël is married to his German wife Karolina. He has a son (born 1995) from his first marriage. On 25 April 2013, Ismaël received German citizenship.{{cite web |url=http://www.neuepresse.de/Menschen/Mensch-Hannover/Bier-Fussball-Currywurst-Valerien-Ismael-liebt-Stammtischkultur |title="Bier, Fußball, Currywurst": Valerién Ismaël liebt Stammtischkultur |date=25 April 2013 |website=Neue Presse |publisher=Verlagsgesellschaft Madsack GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=25 December 2014 |language=de |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024541/http://www.neuepresse.de/Menschen/Mensch-Hannover/Bier-Fussball-Currywurst-Valerien-Ismael-liebt-Stammtischkultur |url-status=dead }}
Managerial statistics
{{updated|21 April 2025}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure | |||||||
| rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=8|Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|P|Matches played}} | {{abbr|W|Matches won}} | {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}} | {{abbr|L|Matches lost}} | {{abbr|GF|Goals for}} | {{abbr|GA|Goals against}} | {{abbr|GD|Goal difference}} | {{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}} |
| align=left| Hannover 96 II
|align=left|28 November 2011 |align=left|30 June 2013 {{WDL|49|24|10|15|for=94|against=66|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| VfL Wolfsburg II
|align=left|1 July 2013 |align=left|5 June 2014 {{WDL|36|23|6|7|for=85|against=29|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| 1. FC Nürnberg
|align=left|5 June 2014 |align=left|10 November 2014 {{WDL|14|4|2|8|for=14|against=25|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| VfL Wolfsburg II
|align=left|1 June 2015 |align=left|17 October 2016 {{WDL|48|30|8|10|for=105|against=42|diff=yes}} |{{cite web|title=Regionalliga Nord - Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/regionalliga-nord/spieltag/2016-17/12/0|access-date=15 December 2016|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|language=de}} | |||||||
| align=left| VfL Wolfsburg
|align=left|17 October 2016 |align=left|26 February 2017 {{WDL|17|6|1|10|for=17|against=26|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| Apollon Smyrnis
|align=left|29 May 2018 |align=left|31 August 2018 {{WDL|1|0|0|1|for=0|against=1|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| LASK
|align=left|27 May 2019 |align=left|11 July 2020 {{WDL|50|31|6|13|for=102|against=57|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| Barnsley
|align=left|23 October 2020 |align=left|24 June 2021 {{WDL|44|25|6|13|for=56|against=43|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left| West Bromwich Albion
|align=left|24 June 2021 |align=left|2 February 2022 {{WDL|31|12|9|10|for=35|against=32|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left|Beşiktaş
|align=left|25 March 2022 |align=left|26 October 2022 {{WDL|19|8|8|3|for=32|against=23|diff=yes}} | |||||||
| align=left|Watford
|align=left|10 May 2023 |align=left|9 March 2024 {{WDL|41|12|14|15|for=56|against=57|diff=yes}} | | |||||||
| align=left|Blackburn Rovers
|align=left|25 February 2025 |align=left|Present {{WDL|11|4|2|5|for=13|against=13|diff=yes}} | | |||||||
| colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|361|178|72|111|for=608|against=414|diff=yes}} !— |
Honours
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
=Player=
=Manager=
VfL Wolfsburg II
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{FFF player}}
{{Blackburn Rovers F.C. squad}}
{{EFL Championship managers}}
{{2003–04 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{1. FC Nürnberg managers}}
{{VfL Wolfsburg managers}}
{{Apollon Smyrnis F.C. managers}}
{{Barnsley F.C. managers}}
{{West Bromwich Albion F.C. managers}}
{{Beşiktaş JK managers}}
{{Watford F.C. managers}}
{{Blackburn Rovers F.C. managers}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ismael, Valerien}}
Category:Footballers from Strasbourg
Category:French men's footballers
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players
Category:RC Strasbourg Alsace players
Category:SV Werder Bremen players
Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers
Category:FC Bayern Munich II players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:Premier League players
Category:French people of Martiniquais descent
Category:French people of Guadeloupean descent
Category:French people of German descent
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:French expatriate football managers
Category:Expatriate football managers in Austria
Category:Expatriate football managers in Germany
Category:Expatriate football managers in Greece
Category:Expatriate football managers in England
Category:French football managers
Category:1. FC Nürnberg managers
Category:VfL Wolfsburg managers
Category:Apollon Smyrnis F.C. managers
Category:Barnsley F.C. managers
Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. managers
Category:Beşiktaş J.K. managers
Category:Watford F.C. managers
Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. managers
Category:Super League Greece managers
Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga managers