From football manager to Reims’ head coach – Who is Will Still?

Aged 30, Will Still is the youngest coach in Europe's top leagues

On the 29th of January 2023, a star-studded PSG team consisting of players like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe, failed to defeat a mid-cap contingent in the outfit of Reims. This was the club’s second game against the Parisians this season, and the bijou team from the north of France successfully denied the European giants a win on both occasions.

In the wake of this draw in the illustrious Parc Des Princes, much media attentions was given to the club. The attention’s focal point was Reims’ head coach, 30-year-old Will Still. Who still didn’t have a UEFA pro license. But was somehow managing a club playing in the French first tier, and was achieving wonders with the club.

So, let’s take a look across the extraordinary journey of Will. That eventually led him into managing Reims at the mere age of 30.

Will’s early years

Still was born on 14th October 1992, in Belgium to English parents. From a very small age, Still had his inert interest in the game of football, and played for Flemish clubs and the youth teams of Sint-Truiden and Mons. He also had a small stint in the first team of Tempo Overijse, back then playing in the Belgian Fourth Division.

When asked about his years as a player, this is what Still told Daily Mail.

“I was a holding midfielder... I wasn't the quickest - I can run the 100m in about 10 days. I'd never stop running, I think people absolutely hated playing against me because I was the biggest See You Next Tuesday.”

"I'd just walk on someone's foot or, first ball, smash them in the back of neck or something. I'm not like that in day-to-day life. Not at all. But once I got on the pitch I was the dirtiest b****r ever. My mum was always embarrassed to watch me."

Will’s managerial journey

Still got his initial interest into the tactical side of football, through the simulation video game Football manager. He was hooked on to the game, and discovered a lot about various managerial skills from the game.

"I spent nights where you get to 10 o'clock in the evening, thinking, 'Ok one more game', and then at 4am, ‘Oh, I'm still at it’.”

"But what I realise now, the crazy thing is it's actually so realistic." Still exclaimed.

Post this, Still got his first real life managing experience with North End's U14 side. Following which he became video analyst at childhood club Sint-Truiden. After the club was promoted to the first division in 2015. Still followed the footsteps of his boss and moved to Standard Liège.

The following years saw Still play small stints at different clubs in Belgium as head coach, assistant coach or as video analyst.

Finally in 2021, Still’s hardwork finally paid off. As the then 28-year-old became the head coach of first division team Beerschot. What then followed, was an absolute dream for young Will. As the Belgian was given a call by Ligue 1 team Reims, to become their assistant manager.

A few months in his life in France. Will was met with making the tough decision of leaving Reims to coach Standard Liège. In light of his quest for the UEFA pro license, which was way easier to get done if he were to stay in Belgium.

But when Reims came back calling at the end of the 2021-22 season. Will couldn’t deny them and joined the club once again as assistant manager, before he took over the reigns from Garcia, who was sacked just two months into the season.

What Will has to say about his extraordinary journey

"If someone had told me I'd be the head coach of a Ligue 1 side at 30, I'd have told them to punch me in the face," Still recently told the Coaches' Voice website.

"The idea that, at 30, I'd be managing a team against Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos and Marco Verratti, and in the opposition dugout to Christophe Galtier, was equally mad. I'd never considered that Football Manager had had an influence on my real-life career, but thinking about it now, it definitely did," he added.

"I got fixated on it as a kid, and playing the game probably ignited the fire in me that I have now as a coach on the touchline."

What’s next for Will

Will Still is currently working at Reims with a group of extremely talented young individuals. Under him, Reims have easily become one of the best clubs in Ligue 1 at the moment, and the future looks bright for the small-time manager.

Reims are currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak, and have lost only a solitary game under Will’s leadership so far.

Though Reims are being fined €25,000 every time the young coach manages a game, the club have decided to put faith on Will. “The club said: ‘We’re ready to invest in your career. just as long as you keep winning!’”, Will told Daily Mail.