Franck Haise reveals he rejected Brighton, Everton and Forest over his English language fears

Stade Rennais manager Franck Haise has confirmed that Brighton, Everton and Nottingham Forest all approached him about managerial positions, but he declined to take any of those conversations further because he did not feel his English was at the required level.

Speaking to French magazine So Foot, Haise said the decision to step back from each opportunity was always his own. “Every time, I was the one who declined to take discussions any further because I didn’t feel ready,” he explained. “There was interest from Brighton, Everton reached out as well, and Nottingham made inquiries.”

The 53-year-old cited language as the central barrier. “Rightly or wrongly, I still feel that my level of English isn’t good enough — for communication, for how I’d speak to the players, the staff,” he said. “I’ve almost reached a thousand-day streak on Duolingo. I mean, it’s only Duolingo, but I am making the effort. Perhaps I’ve created that barrier for myself.”

Brighton ultimately appointed Fabian Hurzeler in the summer of 2024, around the same time Haise took charge of INEOS-backed Nice. Hurzeler has since guided the Seagulls into contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League, making Haise’s rejection a significant sliding-doors moment for the club.

Haise did not specify when Everton or Nottingham Forest made their approaches, and neither club has commented publicly on the matter.

Despite ruling himself out on each occasion, the Frenchman did not close the door entirely on a future move to English football. “An ‘ambition’, I’m not sure, but it’s an opportunity I wouldn’t say no to,” he said. “Much like working with a national team, it’s just another facet of the profession.”