Will Still: The 30-Year-Old Maestro of Reims
In the heart of French football, where passion and precision collide, a remarkable story unfolds, a tale of a young Englishman defying conventions and orchestrating victories. His name: Will Still.
In the heart of French football, where passion and precision collide, a remarkable story unfolds, a tale of a young Englishman defying conventions and orchestrating victories. His name: Will Still. Born and raised in the Belgian town of Braine-l’Alleud, Still’s journey began far from the spotlight. His father’s work for Shell took the family there, but it was football that captured young Will’s heart. A lifelong West Ham United supporter, Still’s passion transcended fandom.
From Pixels to Pitches:
Still’s path diverged from the traditional route. As a teenager, he immersed himself in the world of video games, particularly Football Manager. The game wasn’t just entertainment; it was a revelation. Still’s tactical acumen blossomed as he meticulously crafted lineups, analyzed player attributes, and navigated simulated seasons. The virtual dugout became his canvas, a place where decisions echoed beyond the screen. Still’s passion for Football Manager sparked an epiphany. He realized that his true calling lay not in playing football but in shaping it. He embarked on a coaching journey, studying at Myerscough College in Preston. The pixels transformed into tactics, and the game became reality.
From Video Analyst to Head Coach:
In 2014, Still stepped into professional football as a video analyst at Belgian side Sint-Truiden. His keen eye dissected matches, patterns, and tactics. The journey continued at Standard Liege, Lierse, Beerschot. Each step brought challenges, setbacks, and resilience. Bankruptcies, managerial changes—the rollercoaster of football fate. Reims beckoned, a historic club with six Ligue 1 titles and a storied past. Still’s arrival was unassuming, but destiny had other plans. Initially, he took temporary charge after Oscar Garcia’s dismissal. The unbeaten streak began, 15 games, including draws against Paris St-Germain. Reims defied expectations, sitting 10th in the table.
The Reims Renaissance:
Still’s impact extended beyond tactics. His youth, 30 years old, made headlines. He became the youngest head coach or manager in Europe’s major leagues. But there was a twist, the fines. Reims paid £22,000 every game to keep him. The cost of a maestro’s symphony. Still’s phone buzzed incessantly, requests for photographs, recognition in supermarkets. He embraced it, the recognition, the adrenaline. His Uefa A Licence studies drove him to Belgium twice a week. The sacrifice, the pursuit of knowledge, became a hot topic. Still’s contract extended to 2025. Reims believed in their maestro, the man who turned video analysis into victory. The French Ligue 1 witnessed Still’s magic, a blend of youth, passion, and tactical acumen. Reims soared, and the football world took notice.
Still’s story resonates beyond Ligue 1. It’s a testament to passion, adaptability, and the blurred lines between virtual and real. Football Manager, the game that shaped a manager - Will Still, the 30-year-old maestro, leaving his mark on the canvas of French football.