Will Still reveals a French referee made an ‘inappropriate’ comment about his potential move to Sunderland claiming ‘it will be better in England’ after Reims’ 2-0 defeat by Lens
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- The Stade de Reims boss has been linked with a move to Sunderland this week
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Stade de Reims manager Will Still has admitted he was shocked by a comment French football referee Francois Letexier reportedly made to him after his side's 2-0 defeat to Lens on Saturday.
It came after reports emerged that the coach was on Sunderland's shortlist of managers to take over from Tony Mowbray, who was sacked by the club in early December following the 1-1 draw with Millwall.
Despite the claims, Still has now reaffirmed his commitment to his current club, who have lost four of their last five games.
After Saturday's defeat, the 31-year-old reportedly approached the referee to express his concerns about the way the match was being officiated. During their conversation, Letexier is said to have said: 'Don't worry, it (the referees) will be better in England.'
While it appears Sunderland have now identified Michael Beale as their main target to replace Mowbray, Still, who reportedly returned to England on an unrelated visit last week, claimed the referee's comments were 'inappropriate'.
Stade de Reims manager Will Still has slammed a referee who allegedly made an 'inappropriate' comment to him after his side's 2-0 defeat to Lens
Still had reportedly gone to express his disappointment with the referee in the match
But referee Francois Letexier had reportedly said: 'It (referees) will be better in England' amid rumors Still was shortlisted to take over at Sunderland.
“I thought it was funny, or not funny at all,” Still said in his post-match interview. 'He said something like: 'It will be better in England.'
'I didn't think it was very appropriate, but it's not a story, it's not interesting.'
Despite this, the referee subsequently claimed that Still may have misread him.
When contacted by L'EquipeLetexier said of the claims: 'At the end of the match I simply said: 'Maybe good luck in England'.
'It was meant light-heartedly, with a smile and without malicious intent. He misinterpreted me.”
He continues to impress since joining the Ligue 1 team in October 2022, with Reims currently eighth in the Ligue 1 standings.
Although they have fallen from fifth in the table in recent weeks, they are still fighting for a place in Europe next season, with the Red and White just four points behind Lille in fourth.
Still, who started his managerial career in 2017 at the age of 24, has now overseen 47 games at the club and most notably guided them to a 17-match unbeaten streak last season.
Reims has now dropped to eighth in the French top flight after losing four of their last five matches in Ligue 1
Still had been linked with the vacant manager's position at Sunderland but reaffirmed his commitment to Stade de Reims
While he exclusively told Mail Sport in January that his dream would be to return to England one day, Still confirmed his commitment to Reims, despite admitting he was flattered by the interest other clubs had shown in him .
“It certainly won't be my last match, unless I get fired tomorrow,” he said about the defeat to Lens.
'I don't think that's planned. I am the manager of Reims and I hope I will be the manager of Reims for many months or years to come.'
Reims are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to take on Le Havre in the first division before playing fourth-tier Dinan Lehon in the French Cup.