Diawara says he'll replace Still as Reims coach

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Former Mali international Samba Diawara told AFP on Friday he has stepped in as coach of Ligue 1 side Reims on an interim basis in place of outgoing handler Will Still.

Still's exit on Thursday came as the chances for the club in France's north-eastern Champagne region of qualifying for European football next season have taken a serious knock, they are on a run of five games without a win.

They sit six points adrift of Lens -- who occupy the sixth and last qualifying spot -- with three matches remaining.

Club management said Still's exit would "allow Reims to confidently prepare for next year" as they face a trip to third-placed Brest on May 10 followed by home games against Marseille and Rennes.

Diawara, 46 and an assistant to Still since November 2022, played for French club side Troyes and in the Belgian league.

He moved into coaching in 2012, filling assistant roles at Union Saint-Gilloise, Charleroi and Anderlecht in Belgium.