Stade de Reims coach Will Still insists he would ‘think twice’ about taking over at West Ham United once David Moyes leaves the Premier League outfit.
This is not the first time the every hipster’s favourite up-and-coming coach has been quizzed about the West Ham United job. And we’d be very surprised indeed if it’s the last.
The 31-year-old Reims boss may have displayed a rare shred of naivety a few months back, revealing to talkSPORT that he’s ‘always been a big West Ham fan’.
As such, Still’s remarkable success at Reims, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding David Moyes’ long-term future, means speculation surrounding a potential switch to the London Stadium was as predictable as it was inevitable, Belgian publication Sud Info bringing up the topic once again this week.
Will Will Still still be West Ham’s next manager?
“I would think twice about (taking the West Ham job),” Still says, perhaps wary that the pressure of taking over his boyhood club would cause emotion to cloud his judgement.
“But would I be able to (turn it down)? I would feel too guilty if I lost (as manager of West Ham). But the Premier League and Europe are clearly two big objectives.
“In the short term, I want to complete a full season with Reims and finish as high as possible. As for the future, that’s my problem. I never had a career plan. I take what comes.
“But I admit that the little child in me wants to return to England. It’s my home, it’s my league. The best in the world. I have always been a West Ham supporter.”
David Moyes’ future uncertain
Born in Belgium to English parents, Still – two years younger than West Ham striker Michail Antonio – has been nothing short of a revelation since taking over at Reims 13 months ago, a superb start to the current campaign silencing those who labelled that 2022/23 campaign a flash in the proverbial pan.
Still’s Reims are currently fourth in France’s top flight, and only four points behind Paris Saint-Germain.
“I was very honest with the (Reims) bosses,” Still adds. “I had other offers, but I really wanted to give something back to Stade de Reims since it is thanks to them that I am here today.
“But to answer your question, it is clear that I am surprised by our progress because, objectively, we have no business to be in fourth place in Ligue 1. There are clubs so much bigger and richer than us. Still, we take what comes. The first objective was ninth place but, if Europe is accessible, we will not deprive ourselves of it.”
Moyes’ West Ham face Olympiakos in the Europa League group-stages tonight.
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