Edward Still takes charge at Watford tasked to reignite Championship play-off push

Edward Still has taken over as Watford head coach following Javi Gracia’s departure earlier this month.

The 35-year-old, brother of former Southampton boss Will Still, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and will lead the Hornets immediately, starting with Saturday’s trip to Preston North End.

Still brings experience from Belgium, having managed Royal Charleroi, K.A.S. Eupen and K.V. Kortrijk, and also worked alongside his brother at Ligue 1 side Lens.

He was most recently the caretaker boss at Anderlecht and now takes his first step into English football – hoping for a better first venture than his brother’s recent spell at Southampton.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed EFL news you need, subscribe to The Football League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Delighted

“I’m absolutely delighted,” Still told the club. “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.

“Fans can expect our team to be aggressive, really compact defensively and attack with pace.”

Troubling form

The English-French speaking coach has also held backroom roles at Club Brugge, Royal Antwerp and Shanghai Port.

He takes over from Gracia, who resigned earlier this month following a 2-0 home defeat to Swansea City that left the Hornets winless in four league games, stalling their Championship play-off push.

Since the Spaniard’s departure, interim boss Charlie Daniels oversaw a 3-1 loss at Southampton and a goalless draw at Hull City, leaving Still with the task of arresting a troubling run of form and reigniting Watford’s season.

Daniels, who has been in interim charge, will remain as first-team coach, with Karim Belhocine also joining the staff.

Modern and progressive

Chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury added: “Ed is a coach whom this young group of players will quickly identify with.

“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.

”We are delighted Charlie Daniels has accepted Ed’s invitation to be part of his coaching staff, as we are really grateful for the job and work he did in the interim period.

”He quickly earned the respect of the technical department and the players, and his promotion maintains that link with the academy.”

READ MORE: Javi Gracia steps down as Watford manager following talks with the board