Ligue 1 manager reveals approaches from Everton, Nottingham Forest and Brighton

Stade Rennais manager Franck Haise has turned down approaches from Everton, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, citing insufficient English language skills.

Franck Haise, manager of Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais, has revealed he declined interest from three Premier League clubs — Everton, Brighton and Nottingham Forest — because he does not feel his English is adequate for the role.

Haise told So Foot that each time an approach came, he chose not to pursue discussions further. "There was interest from Brighton, Everton reached out as well, and Nottingham made inquiries," he said. "Every time, I was the one who declined to take discussions any further because I didn't feel ready."

The 54-year-old, who won Ligue 1 Manager of the Year in 2023 after guiding Lens to second place and Champions League qualification, acknowledged the language barrier is partly self-imposed. "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 explained, adding he has been using Duolingo to improve. However, he left the door open to a future Premier League move, saying it is "an opportunity I wouldn't say no to."