Rennes' Coach Franck Haise: "Fighting for Europe as Often as Possible"

Two months after taking charge of Stade Rennais, Franck Haise recently spoke candidly about his journey and the latest developments in Ligue 1. The 54-year-old coach reflected on his challenging departure from Nice, his current methods at Rennes, and the unexpected title aspirations of his former club, Lens.

A Renewed Sense of Purpose at Rennes

Haise conveyed a strong sense of fulfillment and calm in his new role at Rennes. "It's true, primarily because I've recharged my batteries, regained energy, and also reflected on areas where I could improve," he stated. He expressed immense satisfaction in returning to Rennes, a club and region he knows well and holds in high regard, despite having been away from its youth setup for some time. "Indeed, I am quite happy to be the coach of Stade Rennais," he affirmed.

An Unforeseen Return to Management

His swift return to coaching was entirely unexpected. "Honestly, it wasn't planned at all," Haise admitted. He explained that sometimes opportunities arise that alter one's plans, and in football, continuous adaptation is key. He had even declined several offers in the initial weeks, intending to wait until the season's end. However, a "first discussion with Stade Rennais occurred while I was deep in Quebec, which tells you how unforeseen this return was."

Initial Impressions and Tactical Continuity

Upon his mid-season arrival, Haise found the team in a positive state. He believes the timing was advantageous, coming after a morale-boosting victory against Paris. "I found them quickly responsive and attentive," he noted. He deliberately avoided making drastic changes initially, maintaining much of the tactical setup that led to the win against Paris, even if it involved a different system from what he was known for. "I had an attentive group with plenty of goodwill from the start," he emphasized.

Reflecting on the Departure from Nice

When asked if his exit from Nice was traumatic or if he harbored regrets, Haise offered a nuanced view. "Regrets about how the adventure ended? No," he asserted. However, he did express regret over not being able to give "more to my group and my team, especially in the final weeks." He acknowledged being caught in a negative dynamic but felt he should have tried harder to overcome it for the team's benefit. Despite the challenging end, he fondly recalled the positives: "We finished fourth with a qualification for the Champions League playoffs and achieved the highest number of goals in 50 or 60 years at Nice." He concluded, "There were positive things. But we don't control everything. What I did control, I didn't always do well enough, especially towards the end."

A More Measured Approach and Focus at Rennes

Haise appears to have adopted a more cautious communication style at Rennes. He reflected on past "communication errors" at Nice, where he believes he unnecessarily tried to influence matters outside his core responsibilities. "That's a communication error, because I should have stayed within my scope of action, which was ultimately the pitch, the staff, and the group of players," he explained, noting that such diversions lead to lost energy and negativity. He emphasized a focused, "step by step" approach at Rennes, concentrating on the immediate context and environment. He is content to not "dream," advocating for humility and realism as a coach. While acknowledging defensive improvements (four clean sheets in five games), he desired more offensive potency. "I would have also liked us to be a bit more prolific, a bit more enterprising, a bit more clinical in the last matches," he added.

Tactical Flexibility: Four-Man Defense at Rennes

Known for his three-at-the-back system at Lens, Haise explained his initial use of a four-man defense at Rennes. "There are two aspects. There's the contextual aspect: Jérémy was injured, Alidu and Abdelhamid were returning from injuries when I arrived," he clarified, indicating a lack of operational central defenders for a three-man system. He stressed that he is "not dogmatic about the system," pointing out his extensive experience (18 out of 20 seasons) coaching with a four-man defense prior to Lens. He noted that a three-man defense requires specific profiles and effective articulation. Given the team had just won against Paris with a four-man defense, he found it allowed for an additional attacking player and maintained a three-man midfield. Haise confirmed his open-mindedness, even contemplating a two-man defense for an upcoming match due to suspensions, injuries, and international travel.

Clear Objectives: Consistent European Qualification

Haise confirmed that the club's objectives remain high. "The club's objective hasn't changed: to fight for European qualification as often as possible," he stated, noting that Rennes has not been in Europe for two years. "I haven't been told 'we'll settle for tenth place.' When you're at Stade Rennais, it's logical." His daily work focuses on maximizing the team's chances to achieve this. He believes players need to "unleash more personality" and be more uninhibited in the final stretch of the season.

Assessing the League Standing and Squad Quality

Currently 6th in the league, Haise believes Rennes' squad quality is comparable to teams above them, excluding PSG. He singled out Lens' "admirable" and "exceptional" season as an unexpected top-five contender. He acknowledged that Rennes is "in the fight, a little bit behind," but stressed the need for the team to "fully commit." He urged his players to push harder, even against compact and difficult-to-break-down defenses.

Rennes DNA and Long-Term Vision

Haise acknowledged his connection to the "Rennes DNA," drawing parallels with former coach Julien Stéphan, who came through the club's academy and won the Coupe de France. He also paid tribute to Bruno Genesio's "exceptional work" in offensive play. Haise expressed a strong desire to succeed for Rennes, a club dear to him, where he spent six years previously. "If I can be here for a year and a half, because I have a contract for a year and a half or two and a half years, and contribute my small stone to the edifice with everyone, I would be very happy, but I don't ask for more," he said, understanding that "results alone decide what comes next."

Emotional Ties to RC Lens

When pressed about RC Lens' title aspirations, Haise confirmed his emotional connection. "Lens remains Lens. I lived seven years in this magnificent club, I spent four and a half years with the pros, so it will always be a special club for me," he shared. He recalled "exceptional moments" with the club's management, staff, players, and supporters. "So I wish them all the best, but I wish Lens all the best to go all the way in their season, just as I wish Nice the best for their maintenance," he added.

On PSG's Match Postponement Request: A Diplomatic Stance

Regarding Paris Saint-Germain's request to postpone a Ligue 1 match between their Champions League quarter-finals, Haise offered a diplomatic, "Norman answer." He understood both clubs' positions: "As soon as the path is opened by the League... then it simply has to be open for potentially all clubs playing in European quarter-finals or semi-finals." He added, "If I were the coach of Lens, I would be disappointed if it were postponed, and if I were the coach of PSG, I would be rather satisfied, that's for sure. The advantage is that I am neither the coach of one nor the other."