5 most successful managers in Ligue 1 history

Often derided as the 'farmer's league' owing to its perceived lack of competitiveness and fan-following, the Ligue 1 has its pride of place as one of Europe's top-five leagues.

Despite the competition widely regarded as the 'easiest' top-five league in the continent, the Ligue 1 has been graced by a bevy of fine players and managers that has raised its stature.

Thomas Tuchel made his name in Ligue 1 as a manager of serious pedigree, winning consecutive titles before joining English giants Chelsea.

Among 48 managers to have won Ligue 1 in the competition's near nine-decade history, 16 of them have triumphed on multiple occasions. On that note, let us have a look at the five most successful managers in Ligue 1 history.

#5 Gerard Houllier - 3 Ligue 1 titles

Gerard Houllier

Five different managers have won exactly three Ligue 1 titles; but Gerard Houllier makes this list as he is the only one among the quintet to win the competition with two different clubs.

After winning his first Ligue 1 title with PSG in 1986 - long before the Parisian club became a powerhouse in French football - Gerard Houllier had to wait almost two decades for his next triumph in the competition.

Following a successful stint with Liverpool, Houllier - who expired last year - arrived at serial winners Olympique Lyonnais in 2005. He continued the club's Ligue 1 dominance, helping them win their fifth and sixth consecutive titles in the competition.

However, failure to convert Lyon's domestic dominance to European success eventually led to Houllier's fallout with the club's president and his subsequent exit from the club.

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#4 Laurent Blanc - 4 Ligue 1 titles

Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc is one of the most successful managers in Ligue 1 and PSG history.

The 1998 FIFA World Cup winner won a staggering 11 of 12 domestic titles with PSG, a tally that consists of three Ligue 1 triumphs. However, a failure to conquer the Champions League proved to be his undoing.

Nevertheless, Blanc's men eked out a plethora of records in Ligue 1 during the Frenchman's three seasons in charge at PSG: The (2015-16) league title was wrapped up with a whopping eight games to spare; Laurent Blanc oversaw a record 96-point Ligue 1 tally the season before.

Despite Blanc's unceremonious exit from the club, PSG chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed the Frenchman's impact, saying in this regard:

“As we embark on a new chapter in the development of the club, I would like to thank Laurent Blanc for everything he has achieved over the last three years, both in terms of the playing style and results. I wish him the best for his future challenges.”

#3 Robert Herbin - 4 Ligue 1 titles

Robert Herbin

One of only two managers to win more than three Ligue 1 titles with the same club, Robert Herbin occupies a pride of place in Saint-Etienne's history.

Herbin is one of a select group of men to have won the Ligue 1 title on multiple occasions both as a player and as a manager.

The late Herbin led Saint-Etienne to a league and cup double in successive seasons in the 1970s. Although another domestic double was not to be, the former defender did deliver a Ligue 1 three-peat.

A tribute in the Saint-Etienne website in honour of Herbin, who delivered another Ligue 1 title in 1981, read:

"Living in the Saint-Etienne region, Robert Herbin was a man of few words until the end of his life. His presence alone was enough to tell everything. Always impassive, discreet and fond of the shade, he is nevertheless the one who placed ASSE in the light. His priceless legacy will remain as his greatest accomplishment. Lifetime ambassador of the club, Robert Herbin, he is Saint-Etienne. His legend is eternal."

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#2 Lucien Leduc - 4 Ligue 1 titles

Lucien Leduc

Lucien Leduc is the only manager to win Ligue 1 titles with the competition's two most successful clubs - AS Monaco and Marseille.

Leduc first etched his name into AS Monaco folklore by winning the Principality team's first Ligue 1 title before experiencing more success at Marseille.

One of the first managers to introduce 'flamboyant' football in the French top flight, Leduc's impressive tactical nous and man-management skills led Monaco to their first Ligue 1 title in 1961. Another league triumph followed two years later, again under the tutelage of Leduc.

After winning another Ligue 1 title - this time with Marseille in 1971 - Leduc returned to his old stomping ground in 1975. He immediately inspired a magical turnaround, as Monaco won the Second Division and scripted a fairytale Ligue 1 win the next season.

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#1 Albert Batteux - 9 Ligue 1 titles

Albert Batteux

Albert Batteux is undoubtedly the most successful manager in the history of Ligue 1. The legendary tactician won a staggering nine Ligue 1 titles - more than double that of the next most successful manager in the competition.

Batteux delivered five of Stade Reims' six Ligue 1 titles, doing so during a glorious period between 1953 and 1962.

Batteux went on to create magic at Saint-Etienne too, winning four consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 1967 and 1970.

The Frenchman was renowned for his meticulous planning and a revolutionary playing philosophy based on short passes that would inspire the likes of Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola later.