Will Still Takes Charge At Lens Following Successful Stint At Reims

English manager Will Still has been appointed as the new head coach of Ligue 1 side Lens following his departure from Reims. The 31-year-old signed a contract that will keep him at Stade Bollaert-Delelis until 2027, replacing Franck Haise, who recently joined Nice.

Still, born in Belgium, became the youngest coach in Europe's top five leagues when he was appointed by Reims in October 2022. Initially arriving as an assistant to former boss Oscar Garcia, Still took over as caretaker manager following Garcia's exit. A five-game unbeaten run during this period secured his position for the rest of the season.

His tenure began impressively, becoming only the second coach to remain unbeaten in his first 17 games in Europe's top-five leagues in the 21st century, following Tito Vilanova's record with Barcelona in 2012-13. However, Reims had to pay €22,000 whenever he managed a game due to his lack of a UEFA Pro Licence qualification.

Still left Reims by mutual consent with two games remaining in the 2023-24 campaign, departing with a win percentage of 37.29% from his 59 games in charge. Lens sporting director Pierre Dreossi expressed delight at Still's arrival, stating, "He left his mark on Reims and was our top priority to take up the post. He is a promising coach, a fine tactician and is obsessed with winning."

Before confirming his move to Lens, Still was linked with a potential move to England, with Championship club Sunderland suggested as a possible destination.

Still's coaching career began at Reims where he initially served as an assistant to Oscar Garcia. Following Garcia's departure, Still was appointed as caretaker manager and led the team through an impressive five-game unbeaten run. This performance earned him the role of head coach for the remainder of the season.

During his time at Reims, Still achieved notable success by remaining unbeaten in his first 17 games, a feat only matched by Tito Vilanova with Barcelona in the 2012-13 season. Despite this success, Reims faced financial penalties due to Still's lack of a UEFA Pro Licence.

Still's appointment at Lens marks a new chapter in his coaching career. The club's sporting director Pierre Dreossi highlighted Still's tactical acumen and winning mentality as key reasons for his appointment. Dreossi stated that Still was their top priority for the role and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the team successfully.

Future Prospects

As Still takes on his new role at Lens, he brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. His journey from assistant coach to head coach at Reims demonstrates his capability and potential for further achievements in Ligue 1.

The football community will be closely watching Still's progress at Lens as he aims to build on his previous successes and lead the team to new heights.