The manager has spoken about interest from the Premier League after he impressed in Ligue 1

Rennes manager Franck Haise has revealed that he previously turned down the chance to discuss the Everton managerial position due to concerns about the language barrier. The 55-year-old is seen as one of the best coaches in Ligue 1.

He impressed with both Lens and Nice, leading both clubs to Champions League qualification. He joined Rennes back in February and helped them to climb the table and secure Europa League qualification at the end of last season.

That has led to admiring glances from Premier League clubs, including Everton. The Toffees are joined by Nottingham Forest and Brighton, who have supposedly made an approach to Haise.

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Speaking to French outlet So Foot, via Sport Witness, he said: “Every time, I was the one who declined to take discussions any further because I didn’t feel ready.

“There was interest from Brighton, Everton reached out as well, and Nottingham made enquiries.”

He added: “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. I’ve almost reached a thousand-day streak on Duolingo (laughs). I mean, it’s only Duolingo, but I am making the effort. Perhaps I’ve created that barrier for myself.”

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When the approach was made is not clear, but Haise was recently out of work when Everton were looking for a replacement for Sean Dyche in January 2025. He had left Nice at the end of December following a poor run of form.

Everton instead turned to former manager David Moyes, who has been in charge since. The Scotsman is hoping to lead the club to European qualification this season, with the team currently sitting in seventh place in the Premier League table.

Perhaps interestingly for Forest and Brighton, Haisse did say that he would be open to working in the Premier League in the future. “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.”

Oliver Glasner is under increasing pressure at the City Ground with the team sitting second from bottom on the table. Meanwhile, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is one of the names to be linked with Manchester United amid pressure on Michael Carrick.