Norwich in early stages of managerial search with 31 year old among number of candidates

Norwich City are in the early stages of their managerial search with 31 year old Will Still among number of candidates holding talks.

Eastern Daily Press and The Pink Un report on Thursday (23rd May) that he paid a visit to the Canaries’ Lotus Training Centre earlier this week.

However, he is just one of several coaches being considered by City, as their search is still in its initial phases.

Norwich, who parted company with Daniel Farke after playoff defeat to Leeds, will continue to speak with others in a visit to Colney later this week.

Understand that Will Still has been in talks with #NCFC over their head coach position. One we’ve had our eye on for a while, and makes sense given he and Ben Knapper have had dealings previously. Nothing close yet though, City still looking at options.https://t.co/faqZyNDwx6

— Samuel Seaman (@SamSeaman8) May 23, 2024

He would be unreal. Incredibly incredibly impressive man

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) May 23, 2024

Sporting director Ben Knapper has had prior interactions with Still, particularly during his time as Arsenal’s loans manager. Folarin Balogun previously played under Still during the 2022-23 campaign.

MORE ABOUT WILL STILL:

Still, born in Belgium to English parents, has had a remarkable career trajectory that has seen him transition from playing football to coaching.

Initially involved in both amateur and semi-professional football, he eventually found his true calling as the assistant of Preston’s under-14 team.

After a brief return to Belgium, Still took on various roles as backroom staff and even worked as a video analyst for Sint-Truiden and Lierse.

In a surprising turn of events, Still made headlines in 2017 when he was appointed as the caretaker manager of Lierse at the age of 24.

Despite his young age, he eventually became the full-time manager, although his tenure was short-lived due to his lack of a UEFA coaching license.

He was only permitted to oversee the club for a restricted 60-day period in accordance with the rules, before moving on to Beerschot in 2021.

His profile rose significantly after he became an assistant coach at Ligue 1 side Reims in 2022, and further when he was appointed as the club’s first-team manager at the age of 30.

Reims incurred fines of €25,000 for each match he managed due to his lack of a Still’s UEFA Pro Licence, underscoring the significance of having the proper coaching credentials.

Despite the challenges, he continued to lead the team and demonstrated to Reims that he was capable of guiding the club to success.

In March 2023, Still’s unbeaten start as Reims manager was extended to 17 games with a 1-0 victory against Monaco, setting a new Ligue 1 record.

This achievement also made him the second manager in the 21st century to achieve such a feat in the top-five European leagues, following Tito Vilanova who had 18 matches at Barcelona in the 2012-13 season.

However, a week later, Reims’ undefeated streak in Ligue 1 came to an end with a 2-1 home defeat against Marseille. As a result, they finished the season in 11th place.

On the 2nd of May, 2024, just before the conclusion of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season, Still and Reims mutually agreed to part ways.

At that time, the team was positioned in 11th place, having only won two of their last 14 games.

This is what Twitter users are saying as Norwich hold talks with 31 year old manager while club are still in the early stages of their search…

@HarvPlayDirty: Will Still can fuck off. Shit win % in the baguette league. Awful record. No thank you. #ncfc

@jkanalysis7:
Vincent Kompany > Bayern
Kieran McKenna > Brighton
Will Still > Norwich
Darrell Clarke > Barnsley
Paul Heckingbottom > Brum/Argyle
Alex Neil > Brum
It’s all happening with managers leaving/joining a club this week 😅
#Burnley #BHA #NCFC #BarnsleyFC #BCFC #pafc #itfc

@pricey_zz: Not gonna lie, that would be a cool appointment 😎

@JackReeveTNC: All I read from this is that we’re going up next season?

@NathanLocke1996: Watched his podcast with @mrjakehumphrey. All his glory aside, I would genuinely be happy with this appointment and taking the gamble on it actually working. Not sure if he’d take the job if delia pulls ranks though

@paulusher_edu: No thanks. Him and his brother just remind me of the Cowley brothers mark 2. Happy to eat my words if he is appointed at successful!

@Leeeeee33: Will Still excites me, but whoever we pick they have to be backed and supported by the whole fanbase. None of these gremlins sat lurking in the shadows for the first slip up to come out with the pitchforks ‘i knew he weren’t good enough’

@Hoolaholic: I would love a bit of Will Still, that gets me going #NCFC

@jones9594: Will still yellows army! 💛💚 #ncfc

@Leonfryatt1: I swear to god if we have fucked this up kld and speakman can fuck off

@IanGabelli: Probably in the minority here, but no thank you

@joshmontage656: If we don’t get still then I’m done with this board. All of them have to go. Failure to get out no1 target again shouldn’t be accepted

@mebigsy:Think it’s been clear for months who KLD’s first choice is at #SAFC. Had literal months to sort this deal out. If he ends up going elsewhere then I think that’s quite concerning 😬

@CanaryWorf: The more I think about it the more I’m struggling to get excited about this one. Beyond that one 19-game run, did Reims massively overperform to reach 11th and 9th under his leadership? I’d genuinely love to know.