Will Still: Biography, Sacking, and Return to Ligue 1

There’s a certain romance in the story of a Football Manager obsessive who ends up on the touchline of a Ligue 1 stadium. Will Still, the English manager who built his reputation on a high-pressing system and a viral fine, has seen his career zigzag from Reims to Southampton and back to France with Auxerre.

Age: 33 (born 14 October 1992) ·
Nationality: English ·
Current Club: Auxerre (appointed 1 July 2026) ·
UEFA Pro License: No (previously fined per game)

Eight key facts about Will Still, one pattern: his career defies the traditional manager template.

The pattern: Still’s career has been a constant bet against the odds.

Why Did Southampton Sack Will Still?

Southampton’s decision to part ways with Still in November 2025 came after a run of poor results. According to The Athletic, he won only four of his first 16 league matches, leaving the club 21st in the Championship. beIN SPORTS confirmed the dismissal, noting the club cited poor performances as the reason.

What were Southampton’s results under Will Still?

• Four wins from 16 league games (beIN SPORTS)
• Overall record: 4 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses in all competitions (reportedly)
• Club sat 21st in the Championship at time of sacking (beIN SPORTS)

How much debt is Southampton FC in?

Exact debt figures remain unclear. The club’s financial struggles were cited as a factor in the sacking, but no specific number has been publicly confirmed. The implication: Still’s results worsened the financial pressure, making a change inevitable.

Is Will Still a Good Manager?

Judging Still’s quality requires looking beyond the Southampton chapter. At Reims, he built a reputation for energetic, high-pressing football. His Southampton FC profile notes he became the youngest head coach in Europe’s top five leagues at age 30 while at Reims. His win rate there was 38% (25 wins from 65 games).

What is Will Still’s win percentage?

• Overall senior matches: 50 wins, 34 draws, 47 losses in 131 games — a 38% win rate (beIN SPORTS)
• At Reims: 25 wins in 65 games — 38% (Southampton FC)
• At Southampton: 4 wins in 16 games — 25%

How does his style compare to other young managers?

Still’s tactical approach emphasizes pressing and vertical passing, similar to peers like Kieran McKenna. However, his lack of a full UEFA Pro license has been a recurring talking point. The pattern: Still’s ceiling is high, but his inconsistency at Southampton suggests he needs time to adapt to a new club.

Does Will Still Have a UEFA Pro License?

No — Still did not hold a UEFA Pro license during his time at Reims, which led to fines. Southampton FC confirmed Reims were fined €25,000 for every match he managed before he began studying for the license. talkSPORT reported the fine was about £22,000 per game. Still told talkSPORT the fine stopped once he started the course, though he had not completed it.

Why was Will Still fined per game?

French league rules require a head coach to hold a UEFA Pro license. Because Still did not have one, Reims had to pay fines until he enrolled in the course. Players reportedly told the board “Will’s got to stay!” during the controversy, per talkSPORT.

What are the requirements for a UEFA Pro license?

• Must complete a two-year course covering tactics, leadership, and management
• Required to manage in top European leagues
• Still’s case shows that exceptions are possible but costly

Is ED Still Related to Will Still?

Yes — Edward Still is Will Still’s brother. Both are football managers. Edward has managed clubs including Ligue 2 side Rodez and Belgian club Sporting Charleroi, according to Wikipedia. The two brothers have not yet faced each other in a competitive match, but as both climb the coaching ladder, it’s a possibility.

Who is Edward Still?

• Also a football manager
• Managed Rodez in Ligue 2 and Charleroi in Belgium
• Two years younger than Will

Has Will Still Got a Brother?

Yes, Will Still has a brother named Edward Still, who is also a football manager. Both are involved in football management, and their parallel careers have drawn comparisons. The catch: while Will has gained more media attention, Edward’s managerial record is also building.

Is Edward Still his only brother?

Public records indicate Edward is his only sibling. No other brothers or sisters have been mentioned in profiles.

Timeline

Clarity Check

Confirmed facts

• Born 14 October 1992 in England (Wikipedia)
• English nationality (Wikipedia)
• Appointed Auxerre head coach from 1 July 2026 (beIN SPORTS)
• Sacked by Southampton in November 2025 (The Athletic)
• Brother Edward Still is also a manager (Wikipedia)
• Did not hold UEFA Pro license while at Reims (Southampton FC)
• Fined per game for missing license (talkSPORT)

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for sacking beyond poor results (The Athletic)
• Southampton’s specific debt figures
• His coaching style in detail beyond high press
• Future contract details beyond Auxerre

Quotes

“Will’s got to stay!” — Reims players reportedly told the board during the UEFA Pro license controversy.

Reported by talkSPORT

“The fine ended once I started the Pro Licence course, though I had not yet completed it.” — Will Still, via talkSPORT

Will Still

The story of Will Still is far from over. For Auxerre, the gamble on a young, energetic manager without a license could pay off — or repeat the Southampton pattern. The choice is clear: deliver results quickly, or face another early exit.

After his brief stint at Southampton, Will Still rebuilt his reputation with his return to Auxerre in Ligue 1.

Frequently asked questions

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