‘I was ready to leave’ – Franck Haise explains decision to remain at OGC Nice | OneFootball

After the events of Sunday night, when it was reported that OGC Nice players were attacked by their supporters on the back of their sixth consecutive defeat, it was widely expected that Franck Haise would leave his role as head coach of the club. 

It was reported by Nice-Matin on Monday evening that Haise was close to reaching an agreement with the club’s owners over an early departure. However, today it was revealed that Haise would carry on in his role.

The former RC Lens head coach sat down with L’Équipe to explain his decision to remain with the club. “I seriously considered breaking my contract with the club,” he said. “More than just considering it, even. But I’m staying for the sake of the people. Last night I couldn’t sleep and told myself I couldn’t give up. We have to face the challenge of our present situation, and I know I want to fight for it.” 

“I was ready to leave, my bosses knew it”, he continued. “Sunday night’s events were the last straw, yet another one. I wondered what we had done to deserve things like this. I understand expressing discontent, but there are ways to do it: with banners, booing, strikes, chants… But what’s next? I wouldn’t have left for sporting reasons.”

He finished by saying, “On that point, if we have to fight until the very last second, I’ll be there to do it. And if we have to go down, we’ll go down, but I’ll fight to make sure we get out of this. But when things like this happen, you think we might have narrowly avoided something very serious. Although I’m not putting all the fans in the same category.” 

Haise and his squad will host Angers SCO at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday afternoon in a match brought under the microscope. Players Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga have reportedly expressed that they do not want to play for the club again after they were targeted by supporters, while Nice Matin and Romain Molina have reported that several other players have asked their agents to quickly find new clubs. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland