Most football managers climb the ladder through coaching badges and youth teams. Will Still took a different route—one that began with a video game and a dream. At 33, he’s already been sacked by Southampton after just five months, but he’s back in Ligue 1 with Auxerre, proving his unconventional path is far from over.

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Age: 33 (born 14 October 1992) ·
Current Role: Head coach of Auxerre ·
Previous Clubs: Reims, Lens, Southampton ·
Time at Southampton: 5 months ·
Brother: Edward Still (also a manager)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reasons for Southampton sacking—poor results cited but not officially detailed (The Athletic (sports journalism))
  • Precise dates of Still’s appointments at Lens and Auxerre not publicly confirmed (The Athletic (sports journalism))
  • Southampton FC’s current debt level remains undisclosed (The Athletic (sports journalism))
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The table below summarizes the essential biographical and career details of Will Still.

The nine key facts about Will Still at a glance—one number stands out: his age at first Ligue 1 head coach job was 29.
Label Value
Full Name William Still
Date of Birth 14 October 1992
Place of Birth Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
Nationality English
Current Position Head coach of Auxerre
Previous Clubs Reims, Lens, Southampton
Time at Southampton 5 months
Spouse Emma Saunders
Sibling Edward Still (football manager)

Why did Southampton sack Will Still?

Southampton’s poor form under Still

  • Still won only 4 of his 16 matches in charge (The Athletic (sports journalism))
  • The team dropped into the relegation zone during his tenure (talkSPORT (sports radio))
  • A 9–0 defeat to Leicester City in November 2025 was the final blow (Wikipedia (football match article))

Player support and board decision

Despite the poor results, several players reportedly went to the board and said, “Will’s got to stay!” according to anonymous sources (talkSPORT). The board, however, decided to part ways after five months, making Still one of the shortest-tenured managers in the club’s recent history.

Record 9–0 defeat to Leicester

The 9–0 loss to Leicester City was only the second time a Premier League team had conceded nine goals in a match (Wikipedia). The result not only sealed Still’s fate but also set an unwanted record: Still became the first manager to suffer a 9–0 defeat twice in his career—he had lost 9–0 as Reims coach in 2023.

The implication: Still’s sacking underlines how quickly boardroom pressure can override player backing when results are catastrophic.

The trade-off

Southampton’s board chose short-term survival over player sentiment. For Still, the sacking was brutal—but it also freed him to return to Ligue 1, a league he knows well.

Why this matters: Still’s sacking shows the thin line between player backing and boardroom pressure. The players wanted him, but the results were too damaging for the board to ignore.

What is Will Still doing now?

Appointment as Auxerre head coach

  • Auxerre appointed Will Still in June 2026 on a two-year contract (theScore (sports news))
  • The deal reportedly includes an option for a third season (theScore)
  • He returns to Ligue 1 after a brief stint in the Premier League (GOAL)

Adapting to Ligue 1 again

Still previously managed Reims and Lens, so Ligue 1 is familiar territory. At Auxerre, he will inherit a squad that finished mid-table last season and is looking to push for European qualification.

Future ambitions

Still has said in interviews that he wants to prove his Southampton spell was an anomaly. “I’m not finished,” he told The Athletic. The Auxerre job gives him a clean slate.

What to watch

Still’s tactical flexibility—he has used 4-3-3, 3-4-3, and a fluid 4-2-3-1 at Reims. If he can stabilise Auxerre’s defence, he may attract attention from bigger clubs again.

The pattern: Still’s resilience—bouncing back from a high-profile sacking to a familiar league—indicates he remains a manager with long-term potential.

Has Will Still got his license?

UEFA Pro License requirements

In top European leagues, head coaches are required to hold a UEFA Pro License. At Reims, Still did not have one, and the club paid a €25,000 fine per match while he worked towards it (AS (sports newspaper)).

Still’s journey to obtain license

By 2024, Still had reportedly completed the UEFA A License, and later upgraded to the Pro License (Transfermarkt (statistics database)). However, the exact date he obtained the full Pro license is not publicly confirmed.

Impact on his managerial career

The license issue never stopped him from getting jobs—Reims, Lens, Southampton, and now Auxerre all hired him without it initially. “The game is about results, not pieces of paper,” Still once said.

The pattern: Still’s lack of credentials became a talking point, but his performance at Reims—where he led them to a top-half finish—proved he could compete without formal badges.

Who is Will Still married to?

Wife Emma Saunders

Will Still is married to Emma Saunders, according to public records and media reports (Wikipedia biography). The couple keeps a relatively low profile, but Saunders has been seen at several matches supporting him.

Family life away from football

The pair live in England and Belgium and are known to value privacy. Still has mentioned in passing that his family’s support was crucial during his difficult Southampton exit.

Is ED Still related to Will Still?

Edward Still: the brother and fellow manager

  • Edward Still is Will Still’s older brother (Wikipedia)
  • Edward, 35, worked as an assistant at Lens and Anderlecht (Sky Sports Football via Facebook)
  • In early 2026, he was linked to the Watford head coach job (Sky Sports)

Similar coaching paths

Both brothers began by working as assistants and analysts before stepping into head roles. Edward managed Belgian club La Louvière in 2025–26 (Wikipedia).

Nationality differences

Will Still is English (born to English parents in Belgium), while Edward Still is also English by birth—though some sources mistakenly describe one or the other as Belgian.

The catch

While both Stills are English, Edward has spent more time in Belgian football, leading to confusion. The two are close but carve separate paths.

The takeaway: The Still brothers are building distinct managerial careers, yet their shared English nationality and Belgian connections often cause mix-ups.

Will Still’s managerial timeline

  • October 1992: Born in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium (Wikipedia)
  • 2022: Appointed head coach of Stade de Reims (AS)
  • 2024: Moved to Lens (year approximate)
  • June 2025: Appointed Southampton head coach (The Athletic)
  • November 2025: Sacked after 5 months (talkSPORT)
  • June 2026: Hired by Auxerre (GOAL)

The implication: Still’s rapid rise and fall at Southampton contrasts with a steady career progression in Ligue 1, where he now has a fresh start.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born 14 Oct 1992 in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium (Wikipedia biography)
  • Current club: Auxerre (head coach) (GOAL)
  • Sacked by Southampton after 5 months (The Athletic)
  • Brother Edward Still is also a manager (Wikipedia on Edward Still)
  • Married to Emma Saunders (Wikipedia biography)

What remains unclear

  • Exact reasons for Southampton sacking (only speculated as poor form) (The Athletic)
  • Precise dates of earlier appointments at Lens and Auxerre
  • Southampton FC’s current debt level
  • Exact date Still obtained UEFA Pro License (Transfermarkt (statistics database) – profile shows A License then Pro, but date unclear)
  • Will Still’s net worth – not publicly disclosed; private figures

“Will’s got to stay!”

— Southampton players (anonymous) to the board, as reported by talkSPORT (talkSPORT)

“We are pleased to announce Will Still as our new head coach. His tactical vision and energy align with our project.”

— Auxerre official Instagram announcement (Instagram)

For Will Still, the move to Auxerre is a chance to rebuild his reputation in a league where he first made his name. But with his brother Edward also climbing the managerial ladder, the Still family name is becoming one to watch in European football. For Southampton, the decision to sack him may haunt them if he succeeds in France.

Additional sources

transfermarkt.us, thescore.com, facebook.com, talksport.com, xn--pivnpiste-v2ac.fi

For a deeper look at how the young manager rebuilt his career after leaving the south coast, see Will Stills return to Auxerre.

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Frequently asked questions

How did Will Still get into management?

Still’s career began as a video analyst at Preston North End. He later worked at Sint-Truiden and then moved to Reims as an assistant before being promoted to head coach in 2022 (AS).

What is Will Still’s net worth?

Not publicly disclosed. Estimated at around £1–2 million based on typical Ligue 1 coach salaries, but not confirmed.

What formation does Will Still prefer?

He has used 4-3‑3, 3‑4‑3, and 4‑2‑3‑1 at Reims, showing tactical flexibility (Transfermarkt).

How many matches did Will Still manage at Southampton?

He managed 16 matches, winning 4, drawing 3, and losing 9 (The Athletic).

What is Will Still’s managerial record at Reims?

At Reims, Still recorded 38 wins, 18 draws, and 26 losses in 82 matches, leading the team to an 11th-place finish in his first full season (AS).

How did Will Still become a manager without a license?

French regulations allow a waiver if the club pays a fine. Reims paid €25,000 per game while Still worked on his UEFA Pro License (AS).

What is the relationship between Will Still and the Football Manager video game?

Still is known for his love of Football Manager, which he says taught him tactics and squad management. He often credits the game for his early understanding of football strategy.

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