Franck Haise is now the coach of Nice and explains his departure from Lens. “In 22 years as a coach, my path has been rich,” said the former Lensois tactician. After seven very good seasons, including four and a half with the pros, I left RC Lens with peace of mind. Because I was able to decide on my change, it’s a great opportunity, we did our best. There were results, work, play, emotions. This allows us to close this chapter and set off on an adventure that is just as beautiful, I hope,” said the 53-year-old coach, who is looking forward to a glorious future for his next three years on the Côte d’Azur.
Its president, Jean-Pierre Rivère, did not hide the complexity of having brought the Norman by birth to Nice, but admits to having appreciated “getting his hands dirty” to recruit him and has refined the future objectives: “We have an envelope that allows us to work peacefully,” said the latter. We have returned to a more virtuous circle (economically, editor’s note). Our ambition is to remain European and do well in the Europa League. »
Franck Haise is putting everything in place to achieve this objective. “Today, OGC Nice is mature, which allows us to present an interesting project for everyone,” confides the new coach. We remain very ambitious despite some budgetary restrictions. » For this, he arrives with three deputies: Lilian Nalis, Johann Ramaré and video analyst Alexandre Pasquini. Sébastien Squillaci and Stéphane Cassard also join his staff. Finally, Haise will reunite with two former Lensois collaborators, the performance director, Laurent Bessière, and the physical trainer Ghislain Dubois.
4 or 5 arrivals on the player side
Regarding the next squad, Florian Maurice, the new sporting director, acknowledged having “identified targets”. “The system will evolve because Franck wants to reproduce the one he had at Lens. We need to bring in players capable of playing in these positions (…), count on four or five arrivals. Then, we will see depending on the opportunities.”
“Whatever the number of games, there is a core of 16 or 17 players, and about twenty who have significant playing time, predicted Haise. We don’t need 30 players, because there are too many disappointed players, nor do we need a squad that is too tight.”
The former Lensois also appreciates the current squad, “quality and compatible with my way of playing”. If for Khéphren Thuram, at the end of his contract in 2025, and Jean-Clair Todibo, “the door is open”, admitted Rivère, “it won’t pose too many problems for me if they stay”, smiled Haise while indicating not having asked for “any insurance”.
“I don’t do this job to have it,” he concluded. I do it to share, to experience emotions, to have results which are the crux of the matter to last. »
