Breaking News: As per this morning’s BBC sources, Sunderland has formally appointed an unexpected manager as their news coach.

“I believe” – Pundit expects Will Still to be named new Sunderland manager

Sunderland managerial target Will Still has left his role as head coach of Reims

Known interest in manager Will Still who may be perfect for developing young talent at Sunderland.

•  Mowbray’s exit has left Sunderland without a manager, leading to potential hiring of Still.
•  Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus under pressure to swiftly appoint a new leader amidst key player uncertainties.

Pundit Carlton Palmer expects Will Still to be named as the new Sunderland manager following his exit from French side Reims, and he believes he would be an excellent appointment for the Black Cats.

Sunderland made the controversial decision to sack Tony Mowbray in December despite sitting just outside the play-off places at the time, replacing him with Michael Beale, and it is fair to say the move did not work out.

Beale was an unpopular appointment among Black Cats supporters, and he was sacked in February after winning just four of his 12 games in charge, with Mike Dodds taking over as interim head coach until the end of the season.

Dodds enjoyed a strong spell as caretaker after Mowbray’s exit, but he has found it much tougher this time around, winning only two of his 12 games in charge so far, drawing three and losing seven.

A host of names have been linked with the Sunderland job since Beale’s departure, including Alex Neil, Marek Papszun, Paul Heckingbottom, Steve Cooper, Will Still, Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Scott Parker, Danny Rohl, Jermain Defoe and Rene Maric.

Journalist Alan Nixon claimed in March that Heckingbottom was the club’s first choice, but there has been little progress since then, while The Northern Echo reported this week that the Black Cats are closely monitoring the situation of Sheffield Wednesday manager Rohl, who is set to hold talks with owner Dejphon Chansiri over his future at Hillsborough.

However, Sunderland have held a long-standing interest in Still, and after it was announced on Thursday that he has left his role as head coach of Reims, the 31-year-old would be available to make the move to Wearside.

Palmer: Will Still would be an exciting appointment for Sunderland

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer revealed that he believes it is inevitable Still will now become the new Sunderland manager after his exit from Reims, and he backed him to deliver success at the Stadium of Light.