Still departs Lens to return to England

Will Still has left Lens after a season in charge of the Ligue 1 side, stating “I need to go back home” to be closer to his family in England.

The 32-year-old announced his departure after Lens rounded off their season with a 4-0 victory over Monaco at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Still, who replaced Franck Haise last June, led the Blood and Gold to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1, after winning 15 of his 34 league games in charge (44.12%).

Daniel Leclercq (48.68%), Haise (47.97%), Francois Brisson (46.15%) are the only Lens coaches to a higher win percentage in Ligue 1 during the three-points-per-win era.

Quel finish ! Dans un Bollaert-Delelis des très grands soirs, le Racing conclue sa campagne 24/25 par un succès emballant et maîtrisé face à un adversaire qui disputera la Ligue des Champions la saison prochaine. Bravo Messieurs !@RCLens 4-0 @AS_Monaco #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/DEZ3N76gCu

— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) May 17, 2025

Still has been linked with the vacancy at relegated Premier League side Southampton. However, his main priority for returning to England is to his partner, who revealed in March she was suffering from encephalitis.

“I will not be the coach of Lens next season,” he told reporters during his post-match press conference. “Today was my last match of the season at Bollaert.

“For multiple reasons, the main reason behind my decision is that I need to go back home. It is a logical choice for me to be closer to my partner, for her well-being.”