How I Became Europe’s Youngest Top Flight Manager: Will Still

Will's story is a testament to the power of authenticity and resilience in the world of football management.
Will Still is a professional football manager and former player, currently managing Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims. Aged 30, he is the youngest manager in Europe's top five leagues, and first became a manager at age 24. Will shares with Jake and Damian how he deals with outside pressure and how his commitment to honesty, vulnerability, and staying true to himself has been his guiding force. After dropping out of university in Belgium, Will moved to the UK to pursue a Football Coaching degree. Despite the culture shock, the move cemented Will’s commitment to a career in football.
They discuss how his style as a manager has developed since he first started, with vulnerability and honesty always being at the forefront of his work. Will discusses what it was like to turn down a job offer from Vincent Kompany and how a quiet self-confidence is crucial to his work. This is a conversation about passion, commitment and authenticity.
Will's journey reminds us that the road to success becomes much easier when we begin embracing our true self.
0:00 Trailer
0:28 Start
1:54 Fame
10:04 Starting out
23:20 Gaining confidence
33:23 1st managerial role
42:36 My biggest challenge
49:11 Walking away
1:00:06 The phone call
1:15:12 Playing PSG
1:22:59 Honesty
1:26:31 Quickfire questions
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[@HighPerformancePodcast]

A refreshingly honest interview with a promising young coach. Would you have Will at your club?

[@maestro4907]

Why you don't put a caption on this video i can't understand? Such a great person on the interview but people outside of england have a hard time understanding anything he says. I stopped at minute 5 because i see no sense in repeating every sentence 3 times. Could you please repost it with a subtitle. I also think you will get a bigger audience because people will have an easier time watching this interview. Thanks.

[@rudygestede1702]

😅😅😅😅

[@Tricky181]

Definitely not he’s no good

[@stephenetherington8321]

Get your self to Sunderland fella!

[@themanftheworld8439]

​@@stephenetherington8321no thanks

[@scotteaglen4872]

This is absolutely outstanding. Will Still is literally one of a kind. Living the dream we all wanted, but he actually put in the hard graft the rest of us didn’t

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

100% this!!

[@Church_Of_Kloppism]

Its never too late.

[@e334343837]

I have a dream of becoming a professional football coach, just finished my “C” license in Mexico, going for my “B” license and currently volunteering at my local football club with kids (no pay obviously) and THISSS PODCAST is exactly what I needed. Dreams do become true and I’m glad I’m somewhat on the right path to pursuing my dreams. THANK YOU HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM for this podcast!! absolutely amazing!

[@frfirf]

Same here! Getting my license in the US - let’s face each other as pro managers in a few years! Good luck to you mate!

[@kailinkin6131]

@@frfirf Doing the same here in England after moving from the States - I'll be looking out for you two in a few years!

[@7homani]

i’m 16 and when i turn 18 i’m going to start taking the uefa coaching license

[@AbdulRazakMohammed-ld1rb]

​@frfirf what is the process of becoming professional coach in the USA ?

[@nigelbhebhe2805]

Best of luck to everyone here!

[@rossburgis3564]

Probably the best interview I have witnessed on KZbin, Truly inspiring Will.

[@AllTheAngles]

Clear he has a rare mixture of self deprecation and an unwavering self believe that his work ethic will conquer any challenge. Watch plenty of these and think this is the first where the admiration Damian had for the guest was so apparent 👌🏻

[@raydaher4209]

This story is epic. He literally tells the story like its nothing while it is mind blowing.

[@Bradleyeg6]

This is easily one of the best interviews I have ever listened to. Genuninely speechless about his path into football, what a rollercoaster of emotions.

[@sharptothepoint]

If you love football on a level "anything above average TV fan" there is a good chance this interview will leave you shaking and dreaming....wow

[@e334343837]

FACTSSS

[@sabridjeridi8208]

👌👌

[@nickmilan2739]

I can’t believe how good that interview was. My favourite podcast ever and I’m a football podcast addict

[@calvinfox3441]

As a young coach myself this was extremely motivating and useful very happy for him and wish him nothing but success in the future

[@Jaegerjarquez]

you can do it lad

[@DeadlyV1RU5]

Will Still should be called Will Moves. Because he's making moves. 🔥🙌

[@subscribingtoeveryonewhosu9510]

Will Steel

[@visgraatje859]

Someone offers Will a job at anything. Will's first reaction: "WHA'?" Lovely lad. Hope he will manage West Ham one day

[@Stiruz]

Will Still has lead Reims to an 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions. At 30 years old, he’s the youngest manager in Europe’s top five leagues 🤩 Reims pay a £22,000 fine each time Still manages because he doesn’t have his UEFA Pro license 😅 What an incredible story 👏🏼

[@joeburns3842]

He has the licence now so they don't. But yeah incredible stats really, hopefully we see him in England at some stage.

[@devindawson7880]

I relate so much with Will. I believe I share many characteristics with him from his love of football to his unwavering self-belief and even his hate for tedious paperwork. I am a 26 year old coach currently living in South Africa and my goal is to win the Champions League. I have dedicated my life to it and the end of the pod almost had me in tears when Will mentioned that you should have a goal and believe that it is possible because it is. What a lad, keep going I can't wait to face you on the touch line one day. Great podcast as always gents.

[@GTiR23]

Championship Manager? Completed it mate. That's why the press focus on this aspect of Will's story.

[@JT-574]

What a fascinating life! I like his candid approach/attitude. Just goes on to show you don't have to be academic to succeed in life. Also respect to his parents for being so understanding, especially his dad, letting Will be who he is and supporting him when he wasn't getting paid etc. Not many parents would be so "patient" without pressuring their child to get a "normal" job! Hope Reims finishes in the top 8 this season! Teuma is such a baller.

[@n7xyy]

Amazing interview. Well done to Will, future legend of the game.

[@MartialLiam]

Excellent interview, I believe he's gonna achieve big things!

[@craigsharp6581]

What a breath of fresh air, with humility and honest candour. Great interview!

[@Wob-rt1sc]

Aside from his passion and dedication, Will has an outstanding innate talent - emotional intelligence. Great interview.

[@trainersvlaanderencoachingroom]

I'd like to take a moment to thank the interviewers as well. Well-formulated questions, active listeners, linking themes and interviews, showing respect. Cheers to that! Also, Will's down-to-earth character makes this so easy to listen to. You can feel just how great he has become with people. We, in Belgium, believe in him and see him as a great coach.

[@sabridjeridi8208]

Fact

[@ethantodd4191]

one of my favourite podcast episodes ever - have watching it ten times. Great interview technique - and in awe of every word Still says and brilliant message throughout

[@ianmccusker]

What a monumentally fantastic interview; Corr Blimey how refreshing is Will…!! Thank you so much to all of you… Brilliant

[@adambartlett6277]

Wow. For me this is the best one yet. Outstanding story and conversation guys. Well done

[@bodyandsoulproject]

Taking ownership of your own failings & vulnerability is a very powerful technique, setting a great example for your team.. so that the collective learn lessons quickly from everyone’s mistakes. It’s a great bonding method for affiliation and achievement. The two most important traits of successful organisations? Possibly. Will’s age will be helping to affiliate with young players too, an advantage that not many senior coaches share.

[@VictorJolyot]

Amazing coach, sooooooooo glad to have him at Reims. He's gonna go very very far.

[@jensengreen-shiel3479]

His Honesty and ability to have tough conversations will be what takes him to the top. Will be interesting to see if he continues to have such close relationships with players as he gets older, something which wenger talked about.

[@edwap038]

This guy, and his story, are totally gripping! Future England Manager, I hope. Future WC winner? Maybe, just maybe! Best of luck mate!

[@kverreet]

Everyone in Belgium knows Clement and his career but this is the guy we should really be following. He'll be coaching at a CL quarter final level club, 10 years from now, almost without a doubt.

[@SONA7DO]

Brilliant interview! Will Still is challenging the pathway to the professional football coach and into the footballing world, he's had such a unique way of progressing up the Belgian and French football leagues maybe not had the typical formal coaching education most coaches have recieved but by through his own passion and the love of football he has. Such a unique story because he's relatable in ways to the ordinary football fan that watch games and think they can be a football manager themselves screaming at the tv on the weekends but he is actually living the dream of many which deemed was not possible or realistic. Will be following his journey and wish him success, hopefully he makes it to the Premier League one day!

[@ptmproductions296]

I LOVE THIS CHANNEL AND I ABSOLUTELUY LOVE WILL STILL'S OUTLOOK

[@renitasequeira3013]

enjoyed it thoroughly, very authentic

[@marcuswilkinson6079]

What an insight, loved every second!!

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

❤️

[@sabridjeridi8208]

Absolutely great interview ❤

[@nextsteps6513]

Great interview and a man with a bright future. His accent sounds similar to Chris Martin from Cold Play!

[@lemilemi5385]

Humble young man God bless and guide him

[@harrybolland5996]

These thumbnails do the guests absolutely no favours at all. They look like AI-generated images or some sort of low-budget anime characters at times.

[@n00bma5ter69]

@@hardhoofdful Will Still got me to click on it. For people who don't know the podcast, they may keep scrolling on by

[@hook8535]

Don’t think you’re realizing but they’re making them so they’re eye catching... Makes you click it. This interview was brilliant and think nothing else about it

[@Church_Of_Kloppism]

​@hook8535 I think they need to start elsewhere I typed "high" into the search bar and they weren't even in the top 10 suggestions....

[@neville_bamshoot]

They're alright lol

[@nigelbhebhe2805]

Hahaha😂😂

[@olbruv]

favourite podcast ive ever heard

[@celloassini9117]

The next big thing in football management💯, watch this space

[@Bigdosser76]

Such a great interview

[@HampshireSports]

Fantastic! loved this 👍

[@joecole2794]

unbelievably likeable guy. won't be long until he's managing in the prem mark my words

[@stephanrigaud9371]

56:10-59:40 - brilliantly said . Well done all .

[@Hindsighht]

Excellent podcast. Thoughtful questions with thoughtful answers. It’s going to be enjoyable watching this lads career unfold. I hope he stays away from the PL for as long as he can.

[@Austin077]

Great podcast again 👍

[@rabbarabbi4575]

Perfect ..Really perfect..

[@danbobnix]

Fascinating stuff

[@user-vd6ex8hi5s]

Brilliant as always, quick one Jake 'why are you wearing Harriet's pants' ?

[@BigDome1]

Great interview, however he has made it clear many times that the Football Manager thing is a myth and in the thumbnail you put "From computer game to reality"

[@mcstaunch1690]

What a well rounded young man, i wish him the best in his career going forward.

[@andybarrett6020]

What a guy!

[@Unkempt27]

Just spent ages trying to work out who his voice reminds me of - finally got it, it's James Acaster!

[@haimnsr]

thought just gonna listen by but damn after an hour now i know why he become a head coach/manager

[@jerov1577]

Does anyone know about what interview he´s talking about in 45:00

[@maestro4907]

Why you don't put a caption on this video i can't understand? Such a great person on the interview but people outside of england have a hard time understanding anything he says. I stopped at minute 5 because i see no sense in repeating every sentence 3 times. Could you please repost it with a subtitle. I also think you will get a bigger audience because people will have an easier time watching this interview. Thanks.

[@bazmina]

I feel like an alien because even though im a football fan, season ticket holder etc I have absolutely no idea who this bloke is 😂. Jake's intro sum up gave me massive fomo

[@michaelairley2015]

Great down to earth guy. I hope he says no to the premiership for another 15 years. Save your career. Also show's what a weird and strange country Belgium is.

[@rory4605]

It's like everyone's local barman has made it to the big time. I love it.

[@RossFordefit]

The one plug on, one plug off is killing me 😅

[@drex5160]

"you're not leaving, you're taking over" "Im like what?" It wasnt surprising after like the 5th time😅

[@24eu]

I’m basically will still if he listened to his mum more and didn’t pursue football

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

I love that he never plans, who'd have planned this journey!

[@MyFootballManagerSeasonsnStuff]

Legend i will be the NEXT will still

[@veroniqueizac8249]

If W S leaves Rheims shortly, which he could well have led to European places, I will keep wondering what he means by "performance = winning". Will not his main quality then border on being a liability, such as leaving unfinished jobs ?

[@nigefal]

Other interview seemed to be hoping the 'nearly killed myself in a car' bit meant suicidal thoughts - he seemed very disappointed.

[@ryank3321]

Would love to know why he's got two smart watches, one on each wrist, any other viewers care to offer a possible explanation?

[@linkluke]

I bet a movie deal will happen one day

[@gustav5618]

Brilliant

[@benpb5553]

He sounds like the Tifo football narrator

[@ajtp4273]

Amazing as always Tan youre the best. If I recall you had a thing for Raab a few years ago 😂.

[@mgk_moloko]

👍🏾

[@robertpavey5615]

Is Will still in management?

[@TheTransporterGuyVw]

Next Sunderland manager?

[@lb_75]

Love the channel but the amount of adverts are a joke, I understand the ad revenue is second to none but good god, there is way to many

[@veroniqueizac8249]

I wonder what his forearm tatoo is ?

[@user-bg8wo2pi8u]

They're trying to make it all deep and emotional, just let him be lol

[@codgamer]

oh yeah, the smell of new boots and new balls at the start of the season is amazing!

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

My favourite part!

[@Tbo1235]

Why is the energy so low ?

[@owen__04]

I think will is just a low energy type of guy

[@connorvale9620]

Wonder how many times it will take a manager being sacked and them wanting to appoint him before he doesn't get surprised about it 🤣 the guy is a quality manager with loads of potential but has the ego of a club chef being told he's now the manager

[@billydunthornefitness]

Why have you used that thumbnail, when he literally says in this podcast how irrelevant a computer game was to his professional career?

[@OneKeano07]

Willie still...you can get tablets for that !!

[@chaaman]

Still better english than Harry Kane

[@veroniqueizac8249]

Could you please squeeze in a short question to all your super crack interviewees about SUPERSTITION ? (just "Are you supertitious ?") Il is often the case although they all seem to be born for or bent on being in full charge of their own lives...

[@user-ij5sp4zv5h]

im dead

[@tomnoble3210]

You wouldn’t even think he’s Belgian😂😂

[@warren4834]

Outrageous, surely as Englishmen you would choose England to win the world cup over your clubs winning something, imagine the impact on the nation and joy for everyone!

[@TheQuietTactician]

This guy came up in ‘the adoring fan’ from star field Feed nahhh im dead 💀😭😭