FORMER Sunderland head coach candidate Will Still has opened up on his summer of negotiations after leaving Stade de Reims and says the chance to take charge of Lens was an opportunity he "couldn't refuse".
Still was in the running to become Sunderland boss in the summer and held talks with club officials, with the 31-year-old at one stage looking likely to take charge at the Stadium of Light.
But negotiations broke down after Lens identified Still as their leading target following their previous boss Franck Haise's decision to leave for Nice.
Still has previously talked about his dream of managing in England and says that remains an ambition - but described Lens as the "right club at the right time".
He's made an impressive start to life at his new club, with unbeaten Lens fourth after four games.
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“Everyone was sending me there [England], but in my head, nothing was decided," he told L'Equipe.
"I always said that one day I would like to go there, because I am English, I have a house there, 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 [was he wanting to leave Ligue 1]. I’ve never had any problems with anyone. I know what happened, why I left (Stade de Reims), but that’s it. I don’t blame France or the journalists. The best decision was made.”
Regis Le Bris was always on Sunderland's radar and the Black Cats made their move once his Lorient exit was confirmed.
The 48-year-old has enjoyed a hugely impressive start at the Stadium of Light, leading Sunderland to the top of the Championship before they tasted defeat for the first time this weekend at Plymouth.
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