Ligue 1: "I need to go home," Will Still announces his departure from RC Lens
The Anglo-Belgian coach only spent one season on the bench of the Sang et Or, who beat Monaco on Saturday evening, during the 34th and final day of the French championship.
"I will not be the coach of RC Lens next season," Will Still announced to everyone's surprise after the big victory against Monaco (4-0) Saturday evening at the Stade Bollaert, on the last day of Ligue 1 , a year after his arrival. "The main reason that pushes me to take this decision is that I need to go home. (...) I think everyone is well aware of what happened in my life," said the Anglo-Belgian, whose wife, Emma, suffered from encephalitis, a brain infection, which appeared after undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer. A journalist for the British television channel Sky Sports , she had explained her situation in a publication on the social network Instagram .
Deeply moved, the former Reims coach leaves Artois after a chaotic season, during which the Sang et Or sold their captain Brice Samba, their central hinge Kevin Danso-Abdukodir Khusanov, as well as their right piston Przemyslaw Frankowski during the winter transfer window.
I should point out that I haven't signed anything anywhere yet. There has always been interest, yes.
Will Still
Despite this context caused by a need, according to the club's management, to clean up finances and solidify the budget, the Artésiens still managed to finish eighthin the Ligue 1 standings . "I had a lot of fun, I think we did great things despite everything ," added Will Still. I've been in France for four years, I've been living intense moments and I think the logical choice is that I get closer to my wife and her well-being. I should point out that I haven't signed anything anywhere yet. There has always been interest, yes."
The succession of Franck Haise, emblematic coach of the Pas-de-Calais club, who had managed to make it finish second at the end of the 2023 season, bringing it back to the Champions League, is therefore open again. Pierre Dréossi, the general director of the club, revealed that he tried to "make (Will Still) understand that for the club, it (was) important that he stays" . "I almost succeeded, but you can't fight his personal reasons which are important" , he said. "I am disappointed not to continue with Will because I think we were on the right path" , breathed the Lens manager.
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