Former Sunderland manager target Will Still (Image: (Image: Alamy Stock Photo))
Former Sunderland manager target Will Still (Image: (Image: Alamy Stock Photo))
EX-Sunderland managerial target Will Still has left Lens is said to be in advanced talks to become Southampton manager.
Still was in contention to take charge of the Black Cats last summer and held talks with club bosses but an agreement couldn't be reached. Sunderland went on to appoint Regis Le Bris, who has led them to the Championship play-off final in his first season in charge.
Still, Belgian-born to English parents, went on to instead take over at Lens last June but revealed over the weekend he was standing down after leading the side to an eight-place finish in Ligue 1.
Still, 32, quit his job to be closer to his girlfriend Emma Saunders, a broadcaster with Sky Sports.
Saunders revealed in March she was recovering from a brain infection known as encephalitis and was treated for thyroid cancer at the start of the season.
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Speaking after Lens’ season-ending 4-0 win over Monaco, Still told a press conference: “I will not be the coach of RC Lens next season.
“The main reason pushing me to make this decision is the fact that I need to return home. Everyone is well aware of what has happened in my life. That’s why.
"I had a lot of fun, I think we achieved great things despite everything. I've been in France for four years, four years that I've experienced intense moments.
"The logical choice is that I get closer to my wife for her well-being too."
Still could now take charge of relegated Saints, who are on the lookout for a new manager as they attempt to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Meanwhile, another former Sunderland managerial target has also been linked with a job in England.
Francesco Farioli, who was on Sunderland's radar when Tony Mowbray was in charge, has announced he is leaving Ajax after just a year in charge. Farioli is said to be of interest to Tottenham, with Ange Postecoglou's future uncertain.
After Farioli announced his Ajax exit, technical director Alex Kroes said: "I find this incredibly disappointing. Francesco and his staff have been a great help to us.
"It’s been an intense season filled with many memorable moments, and we achieved our goal: qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
"Francesco also played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful.
"This summer was already set to be a challenging transfer window, and it has now become even more so. It is up to us to ensure that a strong new coaching team is in place when pre-season preparations begin on 26 June."