Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has opened up on Norwich City head coach candidate Will Still's departure from the French club. 

The highly-rated 31-year-old departed the Ligue 1 outfit earlier this month by mutual consent after nearly two years in charge at the Stade Auguste-Delaune. 

After his impressive start to life at Reims, Still attracted a lot of attention from media surrounding his back story.

That proved difficult to deal with as Reims won just one of their last matches under Still before his departure. While reflecting on the campaign to France Bleu, Caillot believes the attention from external sources did have an impact on the loss of form as he reflected on the Englishman's exit. 

“Will Still, it’s a very beautiful story, a very beautiful meeting," he said. "He matched the profile we wanted. But then, it’s a bit of a risk when you take on young people.

“Here, at Stade de Reims, we give young people a chance at all levels, whether players or staff, and when we have young people, we have to accept at times that they make mistakes. 

“I think that the ‘Will Still effect’ meant that there were a lot of communications from him, a lot of requests. A more experienced coach would have protected himself more, and he went from being a nice guy with a fresh air, to someone who was a little lost in his communication and this was felt in his management of the team.”

City held talks with Still over potentially succeeding David Wagner as head coach earlier this week - with an appointment expected next week. Nordsjaelland boss Johannes Hoff Thorup and Pascal Jansen are also in the frame. 

Asked whether Still's departure from Reims was based on results, Caillot described how all parties agreed on an amicable end. 

“For six months, we could see that it was not the Will Still that we had chosen for over a year now, that things had changed,” Caillot replied. “It was hard to imagine how the story could continue. 

“I am not at the origin of his departure, I am rather at his conclusion. After the Clermont match he said to me: ‘I have no more words, I don't know how to do it anymore.’

“He asked me for an interview with his agent and his dad. Following this interview, which was carried out in complete serenity, we came to the conclusion that we had to know how to stop the story and everyone was very fair on their part.

“Economically, it was a whitewash for everyone which allowed them to part ways with good friends, which will allow them to focus on another project, which I sincerely hope for them."