FC Lorient are on the hunt for a new manager, and a familiar name from Ligue 1 has emerged as a leading candidate. According to reports from L’Equipe, the Breton club is considering a move for Will Still as the successor to the departing Olivier Pantaloni.

Pantaloni's exit marks the end of a successful era, having delivered a Ligue 2 title and steering the club to a solid 9th-place position in Ligue 1 this season. Despite this strong foundation, he has decided to seek a new challenge, leaving Lorient's owners, the Black Knight Football Club, to identify a coach who can build on that progress.

Will Still fits a specific profile for the role. The 31-year-old Belgian-English manager is seen as an experienced Ligue 1 operator known for developing young talent and implementing a clear tactical identity—a perfect match for a club like Lorient. His previous stint at Reims, where he famously went unbeaten in his first 17 games, made him one of European football's most talked-about young coaches.

However, Still's journey since leaving France has been turbulent. After a brief and unsuccessful spell at Southampton ended last November, the Lorient job represents a chance to reignite his promising managerial career back in a league where he previously thrived. He is not without competition, though, with fellow Belgian Wouter Vrancken, currently impressing at Sint-Truiden, also in the frame.

This potential appointment is a crucial one for Les Merlus. Bringing in a progressive coach like Still could signal an ambitious new chapter, aiming to solidify their Ligue 1 status with an attractive, modern style of play that resonates with fans and players alike.