Will Still opens up on Sunderland manager saga | OneFootball

Will Still was linked with the Sunderland head coach vacancy during the summer prior to Régis le Bris' appointment

Will Still has opened up on the speculation surrounding his potential appointment by Sunderland.

The Black Cats’ search for a new head coach over the summer lasted for several weeks before Régis Le Bris was brought in.

Still was one of the many names linked with the role prior to taking on the managerial position with Ligue 1 side Lens.

It was reported by Talksport that the young coach had agreed terms with Sunderland to take over their head coach vacancy prior to his move to Lens.

The 31-year-old previously worked in France with Reims, but departed the club near the end of last season.

Will Still opens up on Sunderland decision

Still has left the door open for a potential move to England at some point in his career, but praised the project being built at Lens.

He has claimed that he was convinced to join the French side by the club’s president, and that he had no other agreements in place with other clubs despite holding talks.

“Everyone was sending me there [England], but in my head, nothing was decided,” said Still, via L’Equipe.

“I always said that one day I would like to go there, because I am English, I have a house there, my partner lives there, but I never said when.

“The sporting project is much more important, and I want to think selfishly about my career.

“I know Ligue 1, what it can bring me, what a club like Lens can mean for my development.

“There were negotiations with other clubs, but [Lens] president [Joseph Oughourlian] called me and I had always said that if there was a team here that I would never refuse, it was Lens.

“Three days later, I had an agreement with them. It was the right club, at the right time.

“No way [wanting to leave Ligue 1]. I’ve never had any problems with anyone.

“I know what happened, why I left, but that’s it. I don’t blame France or the journalists.

“The best decision was made.”

Sunderland league position

Le Bris’ side have made a positive start to the new season, and sit second in the Championship table.

A 3-2 defeat to Plymouth Argyle last weekend ended their 100 per cent start to the campaign, but they still occupy an automatic promotion place.

A total of 12 points from 15 for le Bris has to be seen as a success so far, which should ease some of the pressure on him to deliver immediate results.

Next up for Sunderland is a home game against rivals Middlesbrough on 21 September in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Will Still decision has worked out for all parties

Still’s decision to move to Lens has worked out for the French team so far, with the club sitting fourth in the table after four games.

Sunderland are also making a positive start to the new campaign under Le Bris, so haven’t missed out too badly by not appointing him.

While there’s no doubt that he’s an exciting, up-and-coming manager, Le Bris is still proving himself as more than capable at a Championship level as well.