This morning, news broke in France that Will Still has left his position at Stade de Reims with immediate effect. The 31-year-old, who rose to stardom in 2022 after enjoying an incredible 19-match unbeaten run during his interim period as Reims boss, leaves the club in midtable in Ligue 1 and is now expected to return to England to pursue further opportunities.
Still has been linked with countless jobs in the EFL over the past 12 months but links to Sunderland have always felt the most legitimate. There were rumours a few months ago that the club were willing to pay £4m in compensation to Reims for the services of Still but that will no longer be necessary which opens up the door for the move should both parties want it.
🚨🔴 Will Still leaves Stade de Reims with immediate effect, it’s over between 31 year old manager and the French club. pic.twitter.com/pbGqXE8IqC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2024
Still's story is one that has been told countless times. When he first became the interim manager at Reims, the club were forced to pay a €25,000 fine for every match that Still managed due to his lack of UEFA Pro License. The story then developed to the point where people believed Still had learned everything he knew from Football Manager.
After dispelling those myths and gaining his UEFA Pro License, Still went on to have a reasonably successful stint as permanent Reims manager. He leaves the club in a better position than he found it and Sunderland fans are very excited about the prospect of him taking over at the Stadium of Light.
Will still leaves Reims: Sunderland fans call on the club to act now
After a season where Sunderland have gone through three different managers in their desperate pursuit of promotion, Sunderland fans believe that the club need to do everything they can to get Will Still through the door in the summer ahead of next season.
Taking to social media, one Sunderland fan said: “The fact Will Still has left Reims with three games to go speaks volumes. been tapped up in my opinion, hopefully by Sunderland.” Another said: “Haway Will Still‘s Red and White army.”
A third added: “Sunderland needs a massive character at the centre of the team. Someone who can make these youngsters believe in themselves and their talent and play for each other. A coach can make the whole of the club, supporters and management feel they are going somewhere. Still is that man.”