Sunderland manager target Will Still left French club Reims on Thursday.
Still, 31, is now a free manager after leaving Ligue 1 club Reims on Thursday, following 18 months in charge of the club.
The Belgian-English coach oversaw 65 games, winning 25, drawing 19, and losing 21.
Last season, Reims under Still finished in 11th place of the Ligue 1 table, and now after three-straight defeats in the league, Still leaves Reims in 11th.
It comes after several months of speculation linking Still to Sunderland.
Sunderland are looking for a new manager after sacking Michael Beale in February and have been linked with a number of names.
Still’s name though was linked before Beale arrived and after he left.
Insider Graeme Bailey previously told Sunderland AFC News that Still was the Kyril Louis-Dreyfus‘ favoured appointment this summer.
Will Still stance on Sunderland job revealed
Still was reported to have caused unrest at Reims with his previous comments on a possible move to England.
He said earlier this season:
“I would work for a Championship team without a problem”, adding; “If there’s a Championship club that’s ambitious, that wants to work in the right way and be open and honest about things, and really try and push to get somewhere, then I would love to do that.”
And now, a report from iNews has discussed the probability of Still taking the Sunderland job this summer, writing that Still is ‘understood to be keen on the role and a move to England’.
The same report adds that Still was ‘top of the club’s wish list in December but Sunderland couldn’t agree compensation to sign him on a long-term deal’.
Sunderland need to be cautious of one thing if they hire Will Still
Still certainly seems to tick a lot of boxes for Sunderland and Louis-Dreyfus.
He’s young and innovative, and he certainly proved himself in spells with Reims, though his former’s side recent results were poor.
But the main concern that Sunderland may have with Still is his temperament.
During his initial links to Sunderland, Still failed to play down the rumours, then causing upset with clear comments he made about wanting to move to England; effectively about wanting to leave Reims.
So it’s no wonder why his side’s form fell apart after that and it may say a lot about Still; if he arrives at Sunderland, does well and then has links to the Premier League, Louis-Dreyfus and co may be fearful of Still acting the same as he did at Reims.
Though his Reims spell will have given the young coach a lot of experience and he’ll surely learn from it, and plan for the long-term if he arrives on Wearside this summer.
Sunderland return to action against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship this weekend.