Will Still is a frustrated coach. In a portrait devoted to him by The Athletic, the Stade de Reims coach discusses the difficulties of the Champagne club, which has been struggling since the start of 2024. Particularly because of the winter transfer window.
“Because of the DNA of the club and the way the club is run, we recruit players and then sell them, Still explains. So, every six months to a year, it is a matter of renewing the entire workforce and the entire team. And that’s what happened here again in January. Basically, we sold our best player and are now looking to find a new balance. »
Still regrets Matusiwa’s departure
Still refers to the departure of Azor Matusiwa, sold for 16 million euros to Stade Rennais, one of Reims’ “direct competitors” according to the Belgian-British coach. “He gave us all our balance in midfield”explains Still about the Dutch environment, whose departure he had a bad time with.
“I was disgusted, yeah, I didn’t hide it, he admits. The club tried to explain that this was an opportunity and we had to seize it. I understand. I totally understand and respect it. But I wanted to be really ambitious and challenge myself and the team to go all the way. And then it’s like: ‘OK, we won’t have the opportunity to do it.’ »
And now, let’s go to England…
Will Still does not yet know how long he will coach Stade de Reims but he knows where he will go next. The 31-year-old technician, who spent most of his career in Belgium, wants to return to England, having regularly traveled five hours to visit his girlfriend in London.
“It’s just my place. I want to go back home. I’ve been abroad all my life and worked all my life in an environment that wasn’t quite my own. And I just want to go home”explains Still, who says he is ready to start in the second division, in the Championship, if the Premier League is not offered to him first.
