As his high-flying Reims team prepare to host Marseille on Sunday evening, Anglo-Belgian manager Will Still remains on a 17-match unbeaten run since taking over from Óscar García, back in October. The 30-year-old’s profile has continued to grow with each passing game, and one of the main draws of his story has been his past as a Football Manager player.
However, in his press conference on Friday, Still sought to minimise the impact of the video game on his career, pointing out that he did not simply go from playing on his computer to managing a top flight team. He also pointed out that although he did not have the required coaching diploma – which means that Reims pay a €25,000 fine for each game – he is still more than qualified for the position:
“It’s a myth that needs to be busted because both Didier Digard and I have diplomas. We have the highest possible diplomas at this stage. I’ll say it again, having a pro licence at 30 years of age is very hard. I wouldn’t have been able to do it beforehand because of my age.”
“Obviously, diplomas are important and I’m not just a geek who’s played Football Manager. I didn’t just land at Reims from behind my computer. In fact, I haven’t touched that computer in years and years. It’s an interesting anecdote, but I’m not focused on that.”
Reims currently sit in eighth place, and are only four points off a potential European spot, which is currently held by Rennes in fifth. When Still took over, the club was sitting in the relegation zone.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
