Reims announces the “withdrawal” of its coach Will Still

The return to reality is brutal. Will Still, coach of Stade de Reims since his successful and long-term interim in October 2022, left his position on Thursday May 2 after a series of poor results. “It has been decided that Will Still and his deputy Nicolas Still will step down from their respective functions as of today”wrote the Champagne club in a press release.

After an excellent year 2023 marked by a long series of invincibility, the three small victories in 14 Ligue 1 matches in 2024 got the better of the position of the young 31-year-old technician. “Our run of 19 games without defeat last season as well as the spectacular matches at Delaune will remain unique moments for me”traces Will Still in this same press release. “I will be eternally grateful to Stade de Reims as well as everyone involved directly or indirectly with the club.”

Only three victories in 2024

The Champagne club could dream of Europe at the break, but saw the top of the ranking slip away after a series of bad results, culminating in the defeat on the ground of the red lantern Clermont on Sunday April 28 (4 -1).

“Stade de Reims would like to thank Will and Nicolas Still for their investment and all these beautiful emotions experienced together”greeted Stade de Reims in its press release. “NOTWe are proud to have been able to contribute to the emergence of a coach who knew how to impose his convictions and his playing identity.”

Internally, the visit to the facilities of the English club Suderland, in the English second division, did not go down well with certain managers and players. They accuse him of publicly expressing his desires elsewhere, as in his interview with The Athletic on February 20: “JI would work for a Championship team without any problem [deuxième division anglaise].”