Championship

SUNDERLAND are interested in Reims manager Will Still, according to reports.The Black Cats are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Tony Mowbray yesterday.
Will Still has impressed at Reims since taking charge in 2022Credit: AFP
Sunderland sacked Tony Mowbray on MondayCredit: Reuters
Mowbray was axed with his side sitting ninth in the Championship table, three points off the play-off spots.
According to The Guardian, Still is on their shortlist of possible replacements.
Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, 26, is said to have been impressed by Still’s work in Ligue 1.
After sacking Mowbray, 60, the Black Cats are understood to be keen on recruiting a highly-rated young manager.
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Still, 31, landed the Reims job in October 2022 after an unusual rise to prominence.
The Belgian, whose parents hail from England, studied at Myerscough College in order to launch his career in coaching.
A keen Football Manager player, he landed his first managerial role with Belgian side Lierse aged just 24 in 2017.
He then took charge of Beerschot before becoming assistant boss to Oscar Garcia at Reims.
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When Garcia was sacked Still stepped into the top job… and never looked back.
He embarked on a sensational 17-game run, made all the more remarkable by the fact that Reims had to pay a £22,000 fine after every game, as Still didn’t have his Uefa Pro License qualification.
After beginning the course earlier this year Still prevented Reims from receiving any more fines.
The French side have had an amazing start to the season and sit fifth in Ligue 1, just four points off the Champions League places.
At the end of last season, Still refused to rule out a future move to the Championship.
Asked about working in the English second tier, he said: “Vincent Kompany was at Anderlecht last year and has gone into the Championship and has done an unbelievable job.
“I think the Championship rivals many of the top leagues in the world.
“All the doors are open. I’m not closing anything at any time.”
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Sunderland are also claimed to be interested in Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, who would be unlikely to leave the high-flying Tractor Boys.
Nice assistant Julien Sable has also been mentioned. More

WAYNE ROONEY has hit out at his players as Birmingham’s dismal form continued.The Blues welcomed second-bottom Rotherham to St Andrew’s on Saturday and the game ended 0-0.
Wayne Rooney has threatened to sell players if they don’t perform betterCredit: Reuters
Rooney has only won one of the eight matches he has taken charge of since replacing John Eustace in the dugout.
Birmingham were 12th in the Championship and one point off the play-offs when he took over.
But the club have now slumped to 15th and are seven points behind the top six.
Rooney’s side were booed off after the stalemate to Rotherham with minority owner and NFL legend Tom Brady in the stands.
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And after the game the fuming Manchester United icon admitted his team were lucky not to lose.
Rooney ranted: “I thought we started the game really well. But we got sloppy, we got slow, and we created a lot of our own problems.
“A lot of things we need to address, basics of the game like heading the ball, it was not there today.
“I think some players in there need to grow a pair of balls, basically, because I’m watching what they do in training and the minute there is fans out there they become a different player, a different person.
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“That is football. You are going to have to play in front of fans, wherever you play.
“It is okay doing things on the training pitch but you have to take that into the games.
“We are still a young team but then the leaders in the team… that’s where Lukas Jutkiewicz has been brilliant. He is frustrated he doesn’t play all the games but you can see he is a leader, he is talking in there.
“But there are some players who have got enough experience to stand up and be leaders.
“They are trying but it’s silly errors, decision-making. Game management is a big part of the game we need to improve on.
“I’m completely different as a manager to what I was as a player.
“You might see me on the sidelines quite calm. But the players know exactly what I expect of them, and if they are not doing it, they won’t play.
“And by not playing, they won’t be at this football club. We will get different players in.
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“The players are very aware of what I want from them and the expectations I have of them, my own expectations as well.”
Birmingham next face Coventry away on Friday night. More

SUNDERLAND have sacked boss Tony Mowbray despite being just three points off the play-offs.The Black Cats drew 1-1 at Millwall on Saturday and are three matches without a win.
Tony Mowbray has been sacked as Sunderland bossCredit: Getty
The Black Cats are three points off the play-offsCredit: Getty
Mowbray, 60, joined the Black Cats in August last year – replacing Stoke City-bound Alex Neil.
He impressively guided them to the Championship play-offs, narrowly losing 3-2 on aggregate to Luton in the semi-finals.
Sunderland currently sit ninth in the table following a decent start to the season.
Yesterday they drew fierce rivals Newcastle in the FA Cup third round in what will be the first Tyne-Wear derby in nearly eight years.
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Following defeats to Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield prior to Saturday’s draw with Millwall, the Black Cats have opted to make a change.
Academy coach Mike Dodds, 37, has been appointed caretaker boss having previously held the position following Lee Johnson’s sacking.
Mowbray’s assistant Mark Venus has also been axed.
Confirming the decision, Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, 26, said: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to Tony for his hard work and commitment to Sunderland, a place where he will always be welcome.
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“As custodians of our great club, we believe in our long-term strategy that we hope will ensure sustainability and success for SAFC.
“Central to that approach is a relentless demand for a high performance culture to be implemented throughout the Club and the development of a strong playing identity that you, our loyal supporters, can all be proud of.
“Your continued support will also be fundamental to that progress and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Stadium of Light throughout the festive period and as we enter 2024.”
Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman added: “All at SAFC have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tony and he is quite rightly held in high regard by our players and staff, and our supporters.
“After arriving at an uncertain time, he helped guide us to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs and played an important role in developing our team.
“This was a difficult decision to make, but we remain loyal to our ambition and our strategy, and felt that now was the right moment to take this step.
“We are now focused on identifying the right candidate and we will continue to support our coaching team and players throughout the interim period.”
Mowbray is the second Championship boss to have been axed this evening after Swansea parted company with Michael Duff.
The former Barnsley boss lasted just 21 games at the Liberty Stadium, with the Swans down in 18th.
Michael Duff has been sacked by SwanseaCredit: Getty More

SWANSEA have sacked boss Michael Duff after just 21 games in charge.Duff, 45, managed just six wins at the Swans helm after leaving Barnsley to take charge at the Liberty Stadium in June.
Michael Duff has been sacked as Swansea bossCredit: Getty
After five games without a win saw the Swans fall to 18th, five points above the relegation zone, club chiefs opted to move Duff on.
Alan Sheehan has been named caretaker boss, with Duff’s assistant Martin Paterson also being shown the door.
Confirming Duff’s departure, Swansea chairman Andy Coleman said: “This was a very difficult decision and one that was given considerable thought and attention.
“I acknowledge that there has been a significant amount of change at the club, both on and off the pitch, during Michael’s tenure. I consistently asked for patience as we gave him time to implement his plans and bring the squad together.
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“Unfortunately, we have seen neither the results that we expect nor the progress from the squad that we need. I believe it is now in the best interests of Swansea City to make a change of head coach.
“I have the greatest respect for Michael as a person and as a leader. I know how hard he and his staff have worked throughout this season for Swansea City.
“I want to personally thank Michael, Martin, and their families for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of this club and this city.
“I know that Michael will be successful in his next opportunity and on behalf of the Board and the entire club, I wish him and Martin only the best in their future endeavours.”
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Coleman then opened up on how he will select his side’s next boss, adding: “I understand how important it is to reconnect the leadership of Swansea City Football Club with its supporters.
“That is one of the primary reasons why I moved here with my family this summer.
“Being present in Swansea matters, but so does taking responsibility. I will learn from the experience of these last several months.
“My appreciation for how critical the Swansea identity is to this club has grown since the summer and it will be high in my mind as I make the decision on our new head coach.”
Duff began his managerial career with Cheltenham in 2018, spending four years at Whaddon Road.
He guided the Robins to the League Two title in 2021 before landing the Barnsley job the following year.
The Tykes finished fourth in League One under Duff’s stewardship, narrowly falling 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off final.
Last week Swansea completed the shock signing of former Premier League star Yannick Bolasie.
The 34-year-old made two substitute appearances prior to Duff’s sacking.
Yannick Bolasie joined Swansea last weekCredit: Getty More