Few have made the jump from video game to real-life employment. Will Still is one of the elite, who has forged a career in professional soccer management off the back of his Football Manager knowledge.
Fans of Football Manager have long known the depth inherent in the game. Yet this was not well known outside the community until the first laptop manager arrived on the scene. Will Still is a Belgian-born coach, currently at Southampton FC in the United Kingdom. He gained his ability not by doing the rounds as a player, but in front of a laptop. But just how successful has Will Still been, and what does the future hold?
The Knowledge Gleaned from Football Manager
Will Still grew up in Belgium, born to two English parents. His early years were spent poring over Football Manager, and this gave him a keen interest in coaching. He then went on to develop his skills with a Football Coaching course at Myerscough College in Lancashire, and then he became an unpaid video analyst at Sint-Truiden in Belgium.
The game is now more statistical than ever, and it isn’t just Football Manager clocking up figures either. Betting apps have become just as in-depth, using data to provide the best odds and facilities for live betting. This is not just in the UK and Europe, but software like the Betway Botswana app can provide these facilities to emerging markets. These may include live betting, a huge range of markets, and top-of-the-range casino gaming.
Still admitted in an interview that platforms like betting apps, video games, and websites were crucial when he worked at Belgian clubs with no budget, where they would use them as an information tool. He also added FIFA video game ratings to the list, saying they would be good for scouting out players’ strengths and weaknesses.
Will Still’s Career
His professional career did not start well. Moving to Standard Liege as part of the backroom staff, the whole team was sacked along with manager Yannick Ferrera after the worst league finish in six years. It was at his next position in Lierse where he really shone, having to step up to coach the team at the end of the season. At the age of just 24 and with little experience other than Football Manager, a college course, and backroom staff positions, he excelled. The club escaped relegation with seven consecutive wins. At 24, many of the players on the team were older than him.
What then followed was a succession of roles in which he was appointed and then had to take over at some point, often to great success. The first was at Beerschot, then at Reims. Astonishingly, in the latter, his team managed to let in only 26 goals all season, including a goalless draw against Paris St Germain.
They started the season with a 14-game unbeaten streak. It was here that he really made his name, making them genuine contenders for European qualification. He also cost them €25,000 per week: At the time he took over, he did not have a valid coaching license, and the club was fined accordingly.
Will Still at Southampton
After a short stint at Lens, Will Still was signed to a three-year contract with Southampton. The team is in a position where it is aiming to regain a place in the Premier League after a disappointing few seasons of struggling. Previous manager Ivan Juric left when relegation was confirmed with seven games of the season left.
Though early in the season, the betting predictions are in for Southampton to win promotion from the Championship. Priced at 11/2 for promotion, this shows the reputation Still brings with him, understood by the bookmakers. Anyone wanting to place a bet should ensure they have the best odds by getting a top-quality betting app. Betway is a global company with licenses in many countries, including the UK, the US, Europe, and parts of South America. Not only does it have a range of markets, including the Championship, but it also combines competitive odds along with bonuses and free bets on certain promotions.
Johannes Spors, the group technical manager at the club, was eager to espouse his strengths. He described Still as being innovative with a great track record. They’ve also added that he embodies the culture they are looking to build at the club.
At the time of writing, the club’s record is distinctly average. They are in tenth place in the Championship. This has followed: a win, a draw, and a loss, combined with four goals for and four against. It is not the start that was had at Reims, and probably not the boom Southampton fans had been waiting for. Nor is it the solid defensive record that Still is known for.
There are positives; it is early days. It also gives inspiration to those who love the game but may not be adept on the pitch. By studying and using a combination of gaming, football apps, and websites, it proves that almost anyone could be a real Football Manager.
