WATFORD have appointed Will Still’s older brother, Ed, as their new manager.
The Hornets confirmed the 35-year-old’s arrival just over a week after Javi Gracia suddenly and unexpectedly quit Vicarage Road.
And it promises to be a tough assignment for Still, who has never managed in England, as he becomes Watford‘s 23rd boss in just 13 years.
He told the club website: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’m so thrilled and proud to be here.
“This is a club which has a big place in English football and a fantastic history.
“All of the focus will be on winning games as quickly as possible and getting the best out of the players.
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“Fans can expect our team to be aggressive, really compact defensively and attack with pace.”
Born in Belgium to English parents, Still has managed Charleroi, Eupen and Kortrijk in the country of his birth.
More recently he served as the caretaker boss at Belgian Pro League giants Anderlecht.
With no professional playing career to speak of, Still moved into coaching in his twenties and was part of his brother Will’s coaching staff at Lens when they finished eighth in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season.
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Younger sibling Will got his shot in the Championship with Southampton before the start of the current campaign but was dismissed after just over five months.
The 33-year-old, who is in a relationship with Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, has been out of work since.
New Hornets boss Ed has the added difficulty of stepping in mid-season – but he takes the reins with Watford handily placed.
Despite Gracia’s dramatic walk-out, the team sit three points off the play-offs with 15 games left to play.
Still is Watford’s third permanent manager this season, with Paulo Pezzolano axed after five months and Gracia quitting after just three.
Hornets chief Scott Duxbury said: “Ed’s appointment was made on the conviction that this is a coach whose modern and progressive coaching methods fit perfectly with our squad dynamic, who we believe will take the team forward, and who gives us a real chance to challenge for the play-offs.”
Fluent French and English speaker Still will be in post for the trip to Preston on Saturday.
Charlie Daniels will be alongside him, having accepted a role as first-team coach after serving as interim boss following Gracia’s exit.