Will Still: The Game-Changing Coach, His Personal Journey, and Premier League Dreams
Alright, let’s talk about Will Still—the name that’s buzzing right now in football circles, especially with his upcoming appearance on Sky Sports for Monday Night Football as Spurs take on Nottingham Forest. But who exactly is Will Still, and why is he grabbing so much attention? Let me break it down for you.
Will Still is one of the youngest and most fascinating coaching minds in European football right now. Born in England but raised in Belgium, he actually started out playing football, like many do, before a surprising twist—he was so hooked on the Football Manager game series that it genuinely helped him decide to pursue coaching instead of playing. No joke. That passion led to years of hard work behind the scenes as a video analyst and academy coach, before he really burst onto the scene.
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His rise came during his time at Stade de Reims, where he was initially an assistant but stepped up as caretaker manager early in the 2022/23 season. And then—boom—he led the team on a stunning 19-match unbeaten run. The club eventually appointed him as full-time head coach, even though he didn’t yet hold a UEFA Pro License. Reims had to pay a fine of €25,000 for every game he managed without it, but that didn’t stop them. That’s how much belief they had in him.
Now, he's managing RC Lens in France and has continued to impress, sitting mid-table in Ligue 1 with a real chance of pushing for a European spot. And with all that attention, English clubs are sniffing around. Southampton, who’ve just been relegated, are one of the clubs reportedly interested.
On the personal side, Still’s story gets even more human. He’s in a relationship with Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, which became public during Euro 2024. But they’ve faced real hardship recently, as Saunders has been battling serious health issues—including thyroid cancer and encephalitis. At one point, she was even in a coma. Still spoke candidly about the toll it’s taken, emotionally and mentally. After a big win with Lens, he shared how football sometimes takes a back seat to life, and how grateful he was for the support of his staff and family. It’s moments like that where you see the man beyond the manager.
As for his football loyalties? Well, it turns out Still is a big West Ham United fan. He admitted it with a bit of hesitation, joking that it might cost him some job opportunities, but there it is—his heart lies with the Hammers. With him being so young and already this accomplished, maybe one day we’ll see him in the Premier League. Maybe even managing the club he loves.
So when you see him on Sky Sports this week, know that you’re not just looking at a guest pundit. You’re looking at one of the brightest coaching prospects in football today, who’s already overcome more than most—and he’s just getting started.
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