Football Manager cult hero Will Still ‘shortlisted for English job’ after smashing it in Ligue 1 with high-flying Reims

SUNDERLAND are interested in Reims manager Will Still, according to reports.

The Black Cats are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Tony Mowbray yesterday.

AFP

Will Still has impressed at Reims since taking charge in 2022[/caption]

Reuters

Sunderland sacked Tony Mowbray on Monday[/caption]

Mowbray was axed with his side sitting ninth in the Championship table, three points off the play-off spots.

According to The Guardian, Still is on their shortlist of possible replacements.

Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, 26, is said to have been impressed by Still’s work in Ligue 1.

After sacking Mowbray, 60, the Black Cats are understood to be keen on recruiting a highly-rated young manager.

Still, 31, landed the Reims job in October 2022 after an unusual rise to prominence.

The Belgian, whose parents hail from England, studied at Myerscough College in order to launch his career in coaching.

A keen Football Manager player, he landed his first managerial role with Belgian side Lierse aged just 24 in 2017.

He then took charge of Beerschot before becoming assistant boss to Oscar Garcia at Reims.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER

When Garcia was sacked Still stepped into the top job… and never looked back.

He embarked on a sensational 17-game run, made all the more remarkable by the fact that Reims had to pay a £22,000 fine after every game, as Still didn’t have his Uefa Pro License qualification.

After beginning the course earlier this year Still prevented Reims from receiving any more fines.

The French side have had an amazing start to the season and sit fifth in Ligue 1, just four points off the Champions League places.

At the end of last season, Still refused to rule out a future move to the Championship.

Asked about working in the English second tier, he said: “Vincent Kompany was at Anderlecht last year and has gone into the Championship and has done an unbelievable job.

“I think the Championship rivals many of the top leagues in the world.

“All the doors are open. I’m not closing anything at any time.”

Sunderland are also claimed to be interested in Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, who would be unlikely to leave the high-flying Tractor Boys.

Nice assistant Julien Sable has also been mentioned.