The manager of Nice has responded to Sir Jim Ratcliffe`s harsh criticism, stating that Ratcliffe hasn`t attended any of their games this season.
Ratcliffe acquired Nice in 2019 before obtaining a minority stake in Manchester United last season.
The British billionaire has reportedly caused unrest at Manchester United with severe cost-cutting measures, affecting fans and staff alike.
However, dissatisfaction with Ratcliffe extends beyond Manchester United.
The Ineos boss reportedly caused anger at Nice when he admitted he finds watching them play unenjoyable.
Ratcliffe said, “I don`t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players, but the level of football is not high enough to excite me.”
These remarks prompted a response from Franck Haise, whom Ratcliffe appointed as manager.
Haise argued that Ratcliffe`s criticism is unfounded, as he hasn`t been to a single Nice game since Haise took charge.
Haise stated, “The full article provides more context. But the fact is, he hasn`t watched Nice play at all this season. He`s commenting on observations from a different period.”
“We, the staff and players at the club, are dedicated to improving the club and achieving greater success.”
While defending his team, Haise also downplayed any potential conflict with Ratcliffe, stating, “It`s not a major issue. It`s understandable to be a bit annoyed, but is it worth dwelling on it? We need to continue our work, maintain our enthusiasm, and strive for the best possible results. We must move forward and stay focused on our goals.”
Despite the off-field comments, Haise is focused on proving Ratcliffe wrong through Nice`s performance this season.
Nice is currently fourth in Ligue 1, competing fiercely for a Champions League spot in a tight top-six race. While PSG is comfortably leading, Nice is just two points behind Marseille, who are in second place.
The top three teams in Ligue 1 will automatically qualify for the Champions League league phase, while the fourth-placed team will enter the qualifying rounds. Nice hasn`t participated in Europe`s premier competition since 2017-18, but they have a realistic chance of qualifying this season through their league position, a stronger prospect than Manchester United`s current situation.
Manchester United are currently 13th in the Premier League, but they have another route to the Champions League by winning the Europa League. They are set to face Lyon in the quarter-finals in April, with a potential path to the final in Bilbao on May 21.
