In a side room at the training base of Stade de Reims, there is a seat reserved for the boss. A red leather racing chair. It is rather flashy, that near the headrest, a crown sits atop Reims’ club crest. Englishman Will Still playing Football Manager. Not really Will Still’s flavour but last month these flatlands in France’s northeast became his domain. Now his inbox is brimming with messages of reverence. His trips to the supermarket are interrupted by well-wishers.
Englishman Will Still playing Football Manager!
Since Will took temporary charge of struggling Reims in October, Europe’s youngest team are 10 matches unbeaten – including Wednesday night’s 1-0 win away at AC Ajaccio. Still now has the job full-time – at some expense, too. While the 30-year-old studies for his UEFA Pro Licence – a job requirement in Ligue 1 – Reims pay a €25,000 fine every match. Is that taken from his wage? ‘Well, it’s been, sort of, negotiated,’ Still laughs. Recently, people began making a fuss on the pitch too.
‘We beat Rennes 3-1, I shook the ref’s hand at the end of the game,’ Still begins. ‘He was like: “What you’re doing is unbelievable, mate.”
