LENS are expected to move quickly to finalise the appointment of Will Still after Franck Haise's move to Nice was confirmed.

Haise replaces former Sunderland head coach target Francesco Farioli, who left the French top flight club to take charge at Ajax last month.

Lens last week identified Still as their top target, which prompted the 31-year-old Belgian to perform a u-turn having previously indicated to Sunderland bosses that he was going to take charge at the Stadium of Light.

Still was on Sunderland's radar back in December after Tony Mowbray's exit but at that stage was in still in charge at Reims. He left the club early last month and quickly emerged as a frontrunner for the Sunderland vacancy.

While last week's twist was a setback for Sunderland, Still's appointment at Lens, which will soon be confirmed according to reports in France, will allow the Black Cats to draw a line under the matter.

Sunderland have turned their attention elsewhere and hope to soon conclude their head coach search, which passed the 100-day mark last week.

Pascal Jansen is known to have been assessed by Sunderland chiefs but other candidates remain in the running to replace Michael Beale.

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Rene Maric has been on Sunderland's radar since early in the process but, although there's still no confirmation, it's looking increasingly likely he'll stay at Bayern and step up to join Vincent Kompany's first team staff. Reports in Germany say Kompany is desperate to have Maric, currently in charge of the Under-19s, as part of his team.

Still has previously told of his desire to manage in England but is said to have had his head turned by the opportunity to stay in France with Lens, who finished seventh in Ligue 1 this season.

After Haise's exit was confirmed, Lens president Joseph Oughourlian said: "I am grateful for the emotions experienced and shared.

"Beyond being a brilliant tactician, Franck Haise embodied, through his determination, his audacity and his authenticity, the values ​​of the mining area. I am proud that the club has contributed to revealing one of the very best French coaches."

Sunderland's players are due to report back to the Academy of Light for the start of pre-season at the end of this month before the double-header against South Shields and Gateshead on Saturday, July 13 kickstarts the summer programme of friendlies.