Ligue 1 Review | Franck Haise’s Rennes Renaissance fuels Champions League hopes
Ligue 1 Review | Franck Haise’s Rennes Renaissance fuels Champions League hopes It took only two months for Franck Haise to return to the technical area after he mutually agreed to terminate his contract at OGC Nice in late December. His managerial stint on the French Riviera saw Les Aiglons come within touching distance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League league phase after a promising first season, but ultimately, the lasting impression from his time there will be the way in which it all came crashing down in his sophomore season. A run of nine defeats in a row across all competitions was ended by Haise in his final game in charge of Nice, a 2-1 win over AS Saint-Étienne in the Coupe de France.
However, the damage had already been done. Coach and club felt a fresh break would suit both of them, as Haise would later explain , “ If I lacked positive energy to better help my team over those last few months or weeks, that’s because I wasted part of it on aspects I had no control over. ” It wasn’t immediately clear that Haise would jump headfirst into a new role, but when Stade Rennais came calling, his reservations were lifted .
“ For once, I was a free agent, and Rennes made a choice. There aren’t many clubs that would have brought me out of my break. In this case, it was obvious that I would say yes.
” Perfect timing for Franck Haise and Rennes Since taking over from Habib Beye in mid-February, Haise has overseen a record of eight wins, one draw, and one defeat; form that has the club up to fifth in the table and only a point behind Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC in third and fourth, respectively. The podium and Champions League qualification is in sight for Les Rouge et Noirs , particularly with the side set for a clash with Lyon on Sunday evening. It’s not been lost on the supporters that Haise has helped Rennes to overtake Olympique de Marseille, a side now coached by his predecessor.
To the Rennes faithful, who were never particularly won over by the ex-Senegalese international, they believe that the club went for an upgrade when their patience with Beye finally snapped. It’s certainly true that they’ve gone from a manager with no former top-flight experience to one who has helped reestablish RC Lens as a force in Ligue 1, and for at least one season, had Nice flying high. Perhaps there are a few around the Stade Vélodrome who wonder why they went for Beye over Haise when Roberto De Zerbi walked away.
Continue to the original source for the full article.