Sunderland have been backed to hire this one managerial target in the summer.
Sunderland are just one game away from finishing what’s been a very mixed and turbulent 2023/24 season.
But once it’s over, the club can get to work on the next season, with many hoping and somewhat expecting Sunderland to be back up in the race for top six.
The club could run into a lot of money this summer if they cash in on someone like Jack Clarke.
And Kristjaan Speakman will have to make that money count with this season’s signings arguably being the worst since he arrived in December 2020.
That, as well as hiring a new manager is the key for Sunderland and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus this summer.
And the club’s managerial hunt seems to have been handed a huge boost this week after long-term target Will Still left Reims.
Carlton Palmer comments on Will Still to Sunderland
Speaking to Football League World, former England midfielder and now pundit Carlton Palmer gave his verdict on Still and Sunderland.
Palmer said: “I expect to see him [Still] appointed manager of Sunderland in the coming weeks, I think that’s clear to see.
“He was their number one target, obviously talks didn’t go the way that both parties had wanted initially, but he would not have stepped down from Reims if there was nothing in the pipeline.
“He’s a talented manager, he’s done a fantastic job at Reims.”
Still leaves Reims in 11th place of the Ligue 1 table after achieving an 11th place finish last time round.
But he leaves the club on the back of three-straight defeats and just two wins in 14.
Palmer continued: “He’s a young manager, who will work with young players, and I think this is a great opportunity and it would be a good signing for Sunderland going forward.
“It would be a huge boost for Sunderland if they can get this over the line, he’s got a terrific future ahead of him as he’s already proven.”
Carlton Palmer got one thing wrong about Will Still
Palmer makes a pretty obvious point.
Nevertheless, Still’s Reims exit does feel like perfect timing for Sunderland, who have been interested in the Belgian-English coach for a long time.
But Still is not really proven yet, contrary to what Palmer says.
He was at Reims for just 18 months and he’s still studying his UEFA Pro License, so he remains a very young, inexperienced, and somewhat unqualified coach.
Still may well have done certain badges and whatnot, but there’s no denying that his Reims spell ending as poorly and as controversially as it has done, may be a sign of immaturity.
The way he went about talking to the media following links to England and how he was often reported to be in England may say a lot about his character.
He remains a risky appointment for Sunderland but now he’s a cheap option; before he would’ve cost the Black Cats more than £4million.
The writing may be on the wall where Still to Sunderland is regarded, though there’ll certainly be some pitfalls for both parties to avoid should they link up this summer.