Next Manager Rumours and Candidates

Echo

Interesting development in Sunderland head coach search as Will Still leaves current role

A key name in Sunderland’s search for a new head coach over the past year has left his current role

Phil Smith

Sunderland’s search for a new head coach potentially took a significant twist on Thursday after it was announced that Will Still was leaving his role as head coach of Stade de Reims.

The Ligue 1 side announced that Still would be leaving his role in a statement, effective immediately. It is not known whether Still is a contender for Sunderland’s vacancy but he was a prominent figure in the search to replace Tony Mowbray last December. No move progress, partly due to the significant compensation figure that would have been owed to the French club.

Still has previously made clear his desire to return to the UK and said in a statement today: “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, 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.”

Jean-Pierre Caillot, the club’s president, said: “Stade de Reims would like to thank Will and Nicolas Still for their investment and all these beautiful emotions experienced together. At the heart of a unique Club project, known and recognized for its ability to reveal all talents, we are proud to have been able to contribute to the emergence of a coach who knew how to impose his convictions and his playing identity. Will was one of the actors in the new cycle initiated in 2018, and has undoubtedly enabled the SDR to take another step forward, particularly in the context of the internationalization of the locker room. Will, Nico, the big Red and White family thanks you and wishes you the best for the rest of your careers.”

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Sunderland need to be cautious of one thing if they hire Will Still

Still certainly seems to tick a lot of boxes for Sunderland and Louis-Dreyfus.

He’s young and innovative, and he certainly proved himself in spells with Reims, though his former’s side recent results were poor.

But the main concern that Sunderland may have with Still is his temperament.

During his initial links to Sunderland, Still failed to play down the rumours, then causing upset with clear comments he made about wanting to move to England; effectively about wanting to leave Reims.

So it’s no wonder why his side’s form fell apart after that and it may say a lot about Still; if he arrives at Sunderland, does well and then has links to the Premier League, Louis-Dreyfus and co may be fearful of Still acting the same as he did at Reims.

Though his Reims spell will have given the young coach a lot of experience and he’ll surely learn from it, and plan for the long-term if he arrives on Wearside this summer.

Sunderland return to action against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship this weekend.

Rohl has ruled himself out of the Sunderland manager role, wonder why

Is it because he's at a club on the up and not on the decline, and just outplayed and totally dominated against the club wanting him

Or
He's got an owner who will back him in the transfer market

Or
He will be able to bring in the players 'he' wants.

Or
He can groom and bring on his young players and 'keep' them to build a team.

Will Still it is then 😄

At least he's worked in the championship 🤷 😅

echo

Ex-Denmark international emerges as 'shock candidate'

James Copley

There has been a new name linked with the vacant Sunderland head coach position

Bo Svensson has emerged as a “shock” candidate for the vacant Sunderland head coach role, according to reports. The 44-year-old former Danish international player is available after leaving German side Mainz and has been shortlisted by the Black Cats as they look for a new boss. That’s according to a report by The Sun, which also states that Sunderland considered Paul Heckingbottom after his work with Sheffield United.

The former Sunderland player managed to get The Blades promoted from the Championship a couple of seasons ago but was sacked by the Steel City club after disappointing results in the Premier League. The Blades have since been relegated from the top flight and will return to the second tier next campaign.

The Sun states that Svensson could “appeal more and could be tempted to go to the Championship” if Sunderland can “match his ambitions.” The report also adds that the Black Cats are still looking at former Reims coach Will Still after his recent departure from the Ligue 1 club.

Alan Nixon has also claimed that Sunderland have “had to spread their net and are now prepared to let new coaches come in with their own staff rather than work with the existing team”. Mike Dodds, who took the interim head coach role after Michael Beale was sacked, is expected to resume his coaching duties alongside Michael Proctor next season.

Beale didn’t bring any coaching staff with him to the Academy of Light when he joined the club and lasted just 12 games in charge.

New coach can bring in their own staff........which is normal 🙄

Plus Dodds Haa proven he hasn't got a scooby