Reims’ Will Still on Sunderland’s shortlist to replace Mowbray as manager
Will Still is on Sunderland’s shortlist to replace Tony Mowbray as manager, having impressed the club’s owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, during his time at Reims in France.
After 15 months in charge, Mowbray was fired on Monday amid reports of a disagreement with the club’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman. His departure came two days after Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Millwall, which extended their winless streak to one game in their last five.
Will Still has passed every exam at Reims. His next goal is to defeat PSG.
Still is thought to be highly regarded by Louis-Dreyfus following his success since joining Reims last year, and he meets Sunderland’s criteria for a young emerging manager to fill the role.
He led them to a 17-match unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 last season before finishing 11th. Reims is now fifth in the table and in contention for Champions League qualification.
Still was asked in May if he would consider managing a Championship club. “Vincent Kompany was at Anderlecht last year and has gone on to do an incredible job in the Championship.” “I believe the Championship is competitive with many of the world’s top leagues,” he said. “Every door is open. I’m not going to close anything at any time.”
Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town is also highly regarded by Sunderland, but the 37-year-old is thought to be unlikely to leave a promotion-chasing club and is wanted by several Premier League clubs. Nice assistant Julien Sablé is also said to be a candidate.
Still, who was born in Belgium to English parents, began his managerial career at Lierse in 2017 at the age of 24 and has also managed Beerschot. Nicolas, his younger brother, is also on the Reims coaching staff.
Last season, Mowbray led Sunderland to the Championship playoffs, where they were defeated by Luton Town in the semi-finals. Amad Diallo, who is on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United, was among those who paid tribute to the 60-year-old. “Thanks boss, and good luck,” he wrote, alongside a broken-heart emoji.
