Beaten 3-0 in Porto and amidst a negative streak, OGC Nice is going through a delicate moment. Franck Haise acknowledges having contemplated the possibility of a departure “for a shock effect“, but denies any intention of resigning.
OGC Nice left Porto with another defeat. The fifth consecutive one across all competitions. The momentum is negative. The situation in the Europa League has been stagnant for a long time. Zero points after five matches. Thursday’s defeat confirms a worrying trend. The players conceded the first goal after just 18 seconds. A start to the match that sums up the current period.
The Aiglons’ coach, Franck Haise, did not deny anything in the post-match press conference, describing a start that disrupts established plans: “it greatly disrupts a number of things. We didn’t change our plans afterward since anyway after 18 seconds… But obviously in the period we are in, which isn’t the best period there is, conceding a goal in that manner, where additionally we are in numbers, there’s just the cutback we have to manage, it’s definitely not the best way to start a match.”
The coach reminds that this scenario is repeating itself. He speaks of a team that concedes very early in European Cup. “Yes, anyway before Marseille, we were on the other hand the best team at halftime, and in the Europa League, we are the team that concedes goals the quickest. So it doesn’t make much sense, but it’s obvious. I don’t necessarily explain it particularly, but what is certain is that shooting ourselves in the foot against this opponent within 20 seconds, when I say it complicates things, it’s an understatement.”
The technician refuses however the idea of discouragement. “No, no, no. There may have been other matches where I was more discouraged than tonight, in any case more affected. Because even if the result is there, we lost 3-0, the European Cup ended on the fifth day, so of course, that’s not pleasant.”
Franck Haise highlights some positives, despite the heavy score by emphasizing the mindset and the efforts of those who came on during the match while recognizing the weaknesses in decisive areas.
Franck Haise: “I will never resign“
The sporting crisis also affects the supporters. Many left the stands at halftime after this long trip. Franck Haise understands their reaction: “no, obviously. Afterwards, I can only understand. You concede a goal within 20 seconds, you’re trailing 2-0 at halftime. The result is necessarily hard to swallow. The series is hard to swallow, both our current streak and the one in the European Cup. I understand them. I can understand them. But I am the coach, I am not a supporter. I cannot leave at halftime.”
The coach then talks about the available levers. For him, it is about work, demand, and honesty. “The levers are always the same. It’s about being demanding, it’s about telling each other things. […] Because, already, at any level, we cannot leave so much space. We must better protect our goal in those situations. It’s so clear.”
Finally, the question of his future arises. Franck Haise admits having mentioned a possible shock wave after the heavy defeat against Marseille. “I suggested that I could be the shock wave a few days ago, after Marseille. I thought it might be the solution. I am ready to accept it. It is, apparently, not the solution at this point.”
But he rejects any idea of resignation. His statement is explicit: “I will never resign. […] I will not resign. If I resign, it means I am throwing in the towel and leaving my players.”
He says he is ready to assume his role no matter what happens. As long as the club keeps him, he will continue. “I fight. I fight with our resources, with mine. Some are certainly missing. But I will continue to fight as long as I am at the head of OGC Nice.”
The club has not commented on the internal discussions mentioned by the coach. OGC Nice will travel to Lorient in three days. An important match to try to break the losing streak. The next weeks will indicate whether Franck Haise remains the chosen man to turn the team around. As a reminder, at the beginning of September, the club’s management had announced the extension of the coach’s contract until 2029.
