Is Will Still heading to the Premier League?! Reims confirm young manager's departure from Ligue 1 club after two years in charge

Still has left Reims following discussions with club president Jean-Pierre Caillot and general manager Mathieu Lacour, where it was mutually agreed that he would not continue as head coach for the upcoming season. The departure also includes Still's brother and assistant, Nicolas, marking the end of an era for the coaching staff at Stade Reims.

While the 2023-24 season may not have replicated the previous year's remarkable unbeaten run, Still's impact on the team has been notable. His elevation from an assistant role midway through the 2022-23 season injected fresh energy into the squad, leading to a commendable 19-game unbeaten streak. However, Reims are winless in their last five matches, including three successive defeats.

Still's departure from Reims may give him the opportunity to fulfill his long-standing aspiration to manage in the Premier League. Describing himself as "half English, half Belgian, half nothing," Still's upbringing in English football culture, particularly his fondness for West Ham, has shaped his career ambitions. Returning to England to work has always been a cherished goal for Still and his family.

Speaking to The Athleticin 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."

However, he added that he would be relishing an opportunity at a Championship club as well: "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. 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."

According to Fabrizio Romano, Still did not have the required coaching license to ply his trade in Ligue 1 and hence Reims used to have to pay a €22,000 fine for every game.

While Reims, who are 11th in Ligue 1, will see out the rest of the season, 31-year-old Still will start preparing for his next adventure in the game, and that could include a move to England.