Sunderland have 'held talks' with Reims boss Will Still over vacant head coach position

A report in Belgium claims Reims boss Will Still is mulling over an offer from Sunderland to take over at the Stadium of Light

James Hunter Sunderland AFC Writer

17:04, 12 Dec 2023

Reims boss Will Still continues to be heavily linked with the head coach vacancy at Sunderland

Sunderland have made Reims boss Will Still their number one target as they search for a new head coach, according to a report in Belgium which goes on to claim that the Black Cats have already held talks with the Reims boss. Still has been in charge at French top flight side Reims for 14 months, taking over with the club in the relegation zone and guiding them to the safety of a midtable finish, and this season they currently sit eighth in the table and are competing for a European place.

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The 31-year-old, who was born to English parents but brought up in Belgium, has been linked with the Sunderland role almost from the moment that Tony Mowbray was sacked at the beginning of last week, and he has previously said that he is open to coaching in England and specifically the Championship. There has been no official confirmation of any approach from Sunderland to Reims, but Belgian outlet DH is reporting that there has been contact between the Black Cats and Still, with the coach thinking over the situation after Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus made his pitch.

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Reims are seemingly keen to keep Still, but at present there is understood to be a difference of opinion between coach and club concerning the strategy for the forthcoming January transfer window. While Sunderland continue to search for their next permanent boss, Mike Dodds is in temporary charge.

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Dodds began with a 2-1 home win against play-off rivals West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, and tonight he will be in charge when Leeds United visit the Stadium of Light. Dodds has said he has not been told how long he will be at the helm, but he has made preparations for this wekend's trip to Bristol City in the event no new boss has been appointed before then.

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After that there is a full week before Sunderland's next game at home to Coventry City on December 23.