Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot is hoping to retain the services of head coach Will Still as Premier League strugglers West Ham United scour the market for potential David Moyes replacements, speaking to FootMercato.
It was never going to last forever.
After 19 games and over three months, the longest unbeaten run in Europe’s top five leagues finally came to an end this weekend, a brace from Alexis Sanchez cancelling out Folarin Balogun’s record-breaking strike and consigning Still’s Reims to their first defeat since September.
Still, a 30-year-old Belgian born to English parents, has turned plenty of heads in his first managerial role; FootMercato reporting that he is likely to be one of the first names on West Ham’s wishlist if the Hammers opt to move on from an under-pressure Moyes in the summer.
Still, a boyhood West Ham fan, has made no secret of his interest in a future role at the London Stadium too.
But Caillot is hoping to retain Still long-term; Reims not yet out of the equation for European qualification.
Could West Ham replace David Moyes with Will Still?
“I really hope, given his work, his performance and given his human qualities, that he will remain the coach of the Stade de Reims,” Caillot says. “That is how things should go.
“Today, I think he is fine with us. He has the club’s confidence, including financially. So I think logic means that he will be our coach next season. In any case, I sincerely hope so.”
When quizzed about potentially taking over at West Ham during an interview on talkSPORT last week, Still tentatively admitted that he would consider the offer.
“I would tell them to get in touch with the club here,” Still said, while insisting that he would not take the job now ‘out of respect for David Moyes’.
If the Scot was to leave, however, then it may be a different story.
“I would have a think about it,” Still adds tentatively.
Inspired by the sensational form of Arsenal loanee Balogun, Reims won five of nine Ligue 1 games and even claimed a draw against Paris Saint-Germain before Marseille came to town.
“He has certainly done very well. It is very difficult to do at that age,” says Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, speaking from experience.
“I started at 31. I’m not sure on Will’s background and how he’s built his career to this point but very impressive to be managing at his age.
“The success he’s had has been incredible. Are managers getting younger? I’m not sure if that’s a fact or not. But certainly it is a very demanding job.”
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