Garcia’s early roles in management were consistent without featuring huge success, but it was during a five-year spell in charge of Lille that he made his mark. He took them to the heights of fifth and then fourth in his first two seasons, before completing a sensational league-and-cup double in 2010/11. He was unable to repeat the feat in the subsequent two seasons, but taking Lille into the Champions League got him noticed across Europe.

In July 2013, he moved to Serie A and took the top job at AS Roma. In two and a half seasons in the Italian capital, he twice guided them to the runners-up spot behind a dominant Juventus, before making his return to France with Marseille early last season. In his first full campaign with the southern giants, he has guaranteed a top-four finish – with one game of the season to go, second is still possible – and engineered a route to a major European final.

Tactical set-up

Formation

It is likely that Marseille will begin their Europa League final in a 4-2-3-1 formation (below). Both goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and attacking talisman Dimitri Payet may face late fitness tests, but both should be fit enough to start despite recent injuries.

In possession, they will look to attack in the wider areas. Both full-backs – Jordan Amavi and Bouna Sarr – will try to provided early crosses, aiming for the aerial presence of centre forward Valere Germain. Florian Thauvin and Lucas Ocampos in midfield will drive inside. They are capable of quick and direct attacks with short passing combinations, as they look to work the ball quickly through central spaces.

Payet will centrally drift, looking to receive at feet and cross early into Germain, or dribble through tight and crowded spaces with the ball. He loses possession frequently, but is capable of making match-winning chances or scoring crucial goals anywhere in the final third.