On Tuesday, La Dernière Heure reported Stade de Reims manager Will Still is flattered by Sunderland’s interest. It was also stated the latter’s president, Kylian Louis-Dreyfus, had held a meeting with the Belgian.
L’Equipe now state the coach is ‘very interested’ in becoming Tony Mowbray’s successor at Sunderland and has made this clear to them, via his entourage. He is ‘ready to pack his bags in the coming days’.
On Monday, Still ‘discreetly travelled’ to England to hold talks with the Black Cats’ leaders, where he presented his project for the Championship side.
Still recently told his close friends he fears the Ligue 1 side could struggle when some of their players will go to AFCON and the Asia Cup at the start of next year.
He has also discussed this with Reims and felt that they don’t have the desire to bring in significant reinforcements in January.
This is echoed by RMC Sport, who add Sunderland would offer Still a ‘real influence’ with recruitment, to help them return to the Premier League. The manager has a contract until 2025 and the French club have to agreed to let him go on coition they’re paid.
Sunderland haven’t yet made the final decision and L’Equipe say they’ll have to pay a fee to Reims if they decide to go ahead with Still.
Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot and director Mathieu Lacour are tough negotiators. The Black Cats have to find a way to convince them, if they want to bring Still to the club.
