I was linked with Sunderland job but never wanted to leave Ligue 1

Speculation in the summer that Will Still was on the brink of joining Sunderland as head coach was wide of the mark. That is according to the man himself as he put the record straight on his links to the Black Cats, which surfaced originally after the sacking of Tony Mowbray last year.

Still, born in Belgium to English parents, was repeatedly linked with Sunderland prior to the appointment of Regis Le Bris. But he has claimed he was never as close to moving to England as certain reports suggested.

The 31-year-old was eventually appointed manager of Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens, while Sunderland opted for Le Bris. In an interview with French outlet L’Equipe, Still has sought to clear up any doubt about the extent of his prior interest in moving to the Stadium of Light.

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He said: “Everyone was sending me there [England], but in my head, nothing was decided. I always said that one day I would like to go there, because I am English, I have a house there, and 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 [did Still want 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.”