He's a very underrated manager, mostly because some dismiss him due to his struggles in the MLS and being sacked by Young Boys.
MLS is a weird animal that I don't put much stock in and his Young Boys sacking had him top of the league but getting rolled out of the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon. Prior to this he was a genuine success with YB and had previously done very well with Basel.
Google AI's estimation of his style of play:
Raphaël Wicky's style of play is aggressive and attacking, characterized by a high defensive line, plenty of crosses, and forward passes. His teams are built on passion, a strong work ethic, and constant support for one another. While his tactics have varied between formations like the 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1, and 4-4-2 diamond, he consistently emphasizes a high-energy, front-foot approach.
Tactical characteristics
- High defensive line: Wicky employs a high defensive line to press the opposition and keep the team compact.
- Attacking focus: He prefers an aggressive, attack-minded style with plenty of crosses into the box and forward passes.
- Formation flexibility: While formations like the 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1, and 4-4-2 diamond have been used, he adapts the system to suit his players and can switch between them.
- Emphasis on principles: He focuses on teaching core tactical principles to his players so they can adapt to different formations and styles, rather than just a rigid system.