Will Still has left Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims with immediate effect amid links to the Championship.
The 31-year-old has mutually agreed to leave the French side after two years in charge – with Sunderland among the clubs thought to be interested.
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Will Still has left ReimsCredit: AFP
Speaking after his departure was announced, Still said: “I thank Stade de Reims, President Caillot and Mathieu Lacour for giving me this unique opportunity and for supporting me throughout my journey here.
“I will be eternally grateful to Stade de Reims as well as everyone involved directly or indirectly with the club.
“I would like to thank in particular all the players with whom I was able to work, all the technical, performance, analytical and medical staff as well as the stewards, but also and above all all the supporters of this wonderful club.
“Our 19-match unbeaten streak last season as well as the spectacular matches at Delaune will remain unique moments for me.
“Delaune and Champagne will always have a special place in my life and I will remain the number one supporter of the Rouge et Blanc.”
Still departs Reims with the club sat 11th in Ligue 1 and his last result being a 4-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Clermont Foot on Sunday.
After that game, which was his side’s third straight loss, he raged at his squad, saying: “We were catastrophic. Nothing went for us in the game, we got found out again and again.
“We come back into the game and then make the same mistake and concede the same penalty from absolutely nothing, and then it becomes a disaster!
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Still leaves Reims after ‘the worst day of his career’ at the weekendCredit: Getty
“I don’t understand how we can commit error after error and not respect certain things. We worked on things all week, the players spoke amongst themselves and it produced nothing.
“Now, we have to show pride in the shirt and some self-respect. The whole world saw what happened, it’s disrespectful to the staff, the board, and especially the fans.
Reims boss Will Still responds to being linked to a number of Premier League managerial jobs, which include West Ham United
“I feel like such an idiot, it’s the worst day of my career, the hardest and the most difficult to accept.”
So it was a rough end to Still’s time at Reims but the manager, whose popularity rose rapidly last year due to him revealing his love for Football Manager and the fact he didn’t have a UEFA Pro Licence, will be on the lookout for a new role.
And that could be in England with Sunderland.
talkSPORT understands the Black Cats included Still on their shortlist of managers when they were looking to replace Tony Mowbray in December.
Their pursuit of Still is said to have caused a ‘break in relations’ between him and Reims which could have led to his exit now.
Sunderland ended up employing Michael Beale instead but his time at the club didn’t last long, being sacked after only 12 games.
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Still was among the names on Sunderland’s shortlist in DecemberCredit: AFP
Mike Dodds has been in interim charge ever since but now reports claim Sunderland could make a move for Still again this time around.
He is a now a free agent of course, which means sorting out a deal would be much less complicated than before.
Last year, Still told talkSPORT of his desire to work in the Premier League, admitting he’s a huge West Ham fan.
He said: “Of course I do [want to manage in the Premier League].
“I’m only 30 and I think I’ve got enough time ahead of me. But coming home, because it feels like coming home would be one of my goals in the years to come.”
So with David Moyes likely to leave at the end of this season, rumours are likely to swirl over whether Still will be approached by the Hammers.
But it’s Sunderland who seem to be in pole position as they continue their search for a new manager.
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