Watford Appoints Edward Still as New Head Coach

Watford Football Club has officially appointed Edward Still as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The announcement follows the resignation of Javi Gracia, who departed after just three months in charge.

Edward Still, 35, hails from Belgium and is the elder brother of former Southampton manager Will Still. Before joining Watford, he served as the assistant manager at the Belgian club Anderlecht.

In expressing his excitement about the role, Still commented, “I’m so thrilled and proud to be here. This is a club with a significant legacy in English football and a remarkable history. My primary focus will be on winning games promptly and maximizing the potential of our players. Fans can expect our team to be aggressive, defensively compact, and quick in attack.”

Currently, Watford sits 11th in the Championship, just three points shy of the play-off positions ahead of their Saturday match against Preston North End. Still brings managerial experience from the Belgian Pro League, having worked with clubs such as Charleroi, KAS Eupen, and KV Kortrijk. Additionally, he previously collaborated with his younger brother Will at the French club Lens, achieving an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 during the 2024-25 season.

Scott Duxbury, Watford’s chairman and chief executive, stated, “Ed’s appointment stems from our belief that his modern and progressive coaching methods align well with our squad dynamics. We are confident he will lead the team forward and provide a genuine opportunity to compete for the play-offs.”

Charlie Daniels, who served as the interim boss for the past two matches, will continue in a coaching capacity alongside Karim Belhocine. Duxbury expressed gratitude for Daniels’ contributions during his interim tenure, highlighting his ability to earn the respect of both the technical staff and players.

Still’s appointment marks him as the third head coach for Watford this season, following Paulo Pezzolano’s brief tenure and Gracia’s subsequent reappointment. Since Gracia’s first departure in September 2019, Watford has had 14 head coaches, excluding interim managers, and 11 since the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.

In an analysis by Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio sports editor, he noted that Still’s hiring might be perceived as unconventional given his lack of British and Championship management experience. Most of Still’s career has been spent in Belgium, alongside his work in France with his brother. Duxbury emphasized the importance of the young squad and the hope that they would connect with Still, who will need to foster a positive relationship with the team to help restore their momentum.

Watford’s connections in Belgium suggest that Still has made a favorable impression, and his initial challenge will be to win over the fans, who have shown some skepticism regarding this appointment.