Will Still and Stade de Reims, it’s over. The Champagne club, currently 11th in the L1 standings, announced this Thursday that its coach’s contract would end, by mutual agreement, at the end of the season (although he was under contract until June 2025). The Anglo-Belgian technician (31 years old) even stepped down from his duties immediately and will therefore not officiate for the last three matches of the season.
“Following a meeting held this (Thursday) morning between president Jean-Pierre Caillot, general director Mathieu Lacour and head coach Will Still, it was mutually agreed that the two parties would not continue the sporting adventure together next season. the club indicated in a press release.
Before specifying: “In view of this decision and in order to allow Stade de Reims to confidently look forward to the next financial year, it has also been decided that Will Still and his deputy Nicolas Still will step down from their respective functions as of today. »
Samba Diawara will officiate for the last three matches
Thus, another assistant, Samba Diawara (46 years old), who joined the staff on November 30, 2022, will serve as main coach for the last three L1 matches in Brest, on May 10, then at home against Marseille (on the 15th). and Rennes (19th), as well as for the friendly match scheduled for this Friday (3 p.m.) against Boulogne-sur-Mer (N2), behind closed doors.
In recent months, the Anglo-Belgian technician (31 years old), under contract until June 2025, had not hidden his desires elsewhere. He gave a long interview to The Athletic on February 20, in which he declared in particular: “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. » Or : “I would definitely work for a Championship team (English D2). »
“I thank the SDR for giving me this unique opportunity”
Will Still, in the official press release
In the process, the general director, Mathieu Lacour, was forced to give a press conference to clear the land of mines. Especially since the revelation of his contacts with Sunderland had already created a stir in December…
Jean-Pierre Caillot, however, insisted on “thank Will and Nicolas Still for their investment and all these beautiful emotions experienced together”. The thirty-year-old thanked him “the Stade de Reims, President Caillot and Mathieu Lacour for giving me this unique opportunity”. “Our run of 19 matches without defeat last season as well as the spectacular matches at Delaune will remain unique moments for me”, he also declared. Will Still has been the head coach of the Champagne club since October 2022.