OGC Nice coach Franck Haise has publicly expressed a desire for clearer communication from the club`s owners, INEOS, amid growing speculation about their future commitment to the Ligue 1 club. While UEFA regulations previously prohibited INEOS from direct involvement with Nice during the 2024/25 season due to their minority stake in Manchester United, this restriction was officially lifted over the summer. However, despite the newfound ability to engage, a notable silence from the ownership group has fueled frustration within the club.
During a recent press conference, Haise stated, “Many of us are waiting for the owners to speak. I hope that it will happen. But it isn`t my subject. My subject is the players, the staff, the matches, and the season. It is the only thing I can impact. The subject of the owners isn`t mine.”
This sentiment underscores a broader club-wide yearning for a public statement from INEOS, which could address various concerns. The lack of official communication is particularly salient given recent reports, including one from The Athletic, suggesting that INEOS is actively exploring the sale of the French club. Without a definitive statement from the owners, these rumors persist, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that OGC Nice is keen to dispel.
This period of ambiguity follows a difficult summer and a challenging transfer window. Sporting director Florian Maurice described the transfer dealings as “unpleasant,” and Haise admitted to having “mixed feelings” about the club`s activity during that period. Compounding these issues, Nice was eliminated from UEFA Champions League qualifying by Benfica and has subsequently lost two of its opening three Ligue 1 fixtures, adding to the urgency for clear direction from its ownership.
