THE FOOTBALL Manager-mad Will Still has left Reims after recently announcing his dream to manage in the Premier League.
The 31-year-old took charge of the French club, where he was previously assistant to Oscar Garcia, in October 2022 with the side languishing in the midst of a Ligue 1 relegation fight.
However, he led them to a 19-game unbeaten run and an 11th-placed finish.
Reims are in the exact same position this term with three matches remaining but they have now announced that the Englishman has left with immediate effect.
After a meeting with president Jean-Pierre Caillot and general manager Mathieu Lacour on Thursday, his brother and assistant Nicolas, have also left by mutual consent.
Still said: “I thank Stade de Reims, President Caillot and Mathieu Lacour for giving me this unique opportunity and for supporting me throughout my journey here.
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“I will be eternally grateful to Stade de Reims as well as everyone involved directly or indirectly with the club.
“I would like to thank in particular all the players with whom I was able to work, all the technical, performance, analytical, medical staff as well as the stewards, but also and above all all the supporters of this wonderful club.
“Our 19-match unbeaten streak last season as well as the spectacular matches at Delaune will remain unique moments for me.”
Still was born in Belgium to English parents and began his managerial career aged 24, admitting that his love of coaching was born through playing the much-loved Football Manager game.
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Still began his coaching journey at Preston’s Myerscough College where he got the chance to coach North End’s U14 side.
He then got in touch with all his contacts in Belgium football asking if there were any opportunities.
Former club Sint-Truiden came up trumps – offering him work as an opposition analyst.
He even turned to Football Manager again for tactical guidance – using the game’s database to scout players.
Still took various jobs from 2017 – including roles at Standard Liege and second division Lierse.
At 24, Liege promoted him to be their head coach – however, when the club went into financial difficulty he was forced to leave.
A short stint at Beerschot was followed by talk of him teaming up with Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht.
Instead, he moved to France – working with Oscar Garcia as his assistant on a short-term deal.
Reims called him back that summer to be assistant, before he took over the reigns from Garcia, who was sacked just two months into the season.
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Earlier this season he was spotted watching his beloved West Ham in action at the London Stadium – leading to fans calling him a “dream” replacement for David Moyes.
Speaking to The Athletic in February, Still said: “Obviously, the Premier League is the ultimate dream for any manager in the world.
“I’m not in a rush, either. It’s not that, if I come to England, I have to go to the Premier League, or I have to go to this or that club.
“If something fits then it fits, and I’d be just as happy doing that.
“I’ve never really had a career plan. I’ve never set a timing on anything.
“I’ve just waited for opportunities to come up; see how it feels, see what it’s like.”
He added: “I would work for a Championship team without a problem.
“What I’ve now understood, I’ve now realised, is how important people are.
“And how important finding the right place to be is going to be for my career.
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“And people who understand the way I work, because I’m a bit different. I’m a bit odd sometimes.
“But if there’s a Championship club that’s ambitious, that wants to work in the right way and be open and honest about things, and really try and push to get somewhere, then I would love to do that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
