FootyChatter.com

Edward Still has spent the majority of his coaching career in his native Belgium Championship side Watford have appointed Edward Still as their head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Still takes over at Vicarage Road following the resignation of Javi Gracia after only three months in charge. The 35-year-old, who is the older brother of former Southampton boss Will Still, was previously assistant manager at Belgian club Anderlecht. "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, " he said. "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. " Still takes over with Watford 11th in the Championship, but only three points outside the play-off places before Saturday's game at Preston North End. Still has managerial experience in the Belgian Pro League with Charleroi, KAS Eupen and KV Kortrijk. He has also previously worked as assistant to his younger brother Will at French club Lens, guiding them to an eight-place finish in Ligue 1 in 2024-25. "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, " said Watford chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury. Former Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels, who has been interim boss at Vicarage Road for the past two matches, will take on the role of first-team coach alongside Karim Belhocine. "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, " said Duxbury. "He quickly earned the respect of the technical department and the players, and his promotion maintains that link with the academy. " Still becomes Watford's third head coach this season with Paulo Pezzolano lasting only 10 games at the start of the campaign prior to Gracia's reappointment, having previously left in 2019. The Hornets also had three bosses in the same season in 2021-2022 when Xisco Munoz, Claudio Ranieri and Roy Hodgson took charge, and again in the following campaign when Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic and Chris Wilder held the job. Still is Watford's 14th head coach, not counting interim bosses, since September 2019 when Gracia left for the first time, and their 11th since the end of the 2020-21 season. Edward Still (right) with brother Will when they worked together at Lens Analysis - Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio sports editor I think this could be described as a pretty left-field appointment given Watford are only three points from the play-off positions and Ed Still has no British, let alone Championship, management experience. He has worked in Belgium for the majority of his coaching career and with his brother Will in France at Lens. Chief executive Scott Duxbury speaks of the young squad Watford have and the hope they will identify with Still, so the Hornets hierarchy are banking on him forming a good relationship with this youthful set at Vicarage Road to get them back on track. Watford have good contacts in Belgium so Still has obviously impressed them. His first task will be to get the Watford supporters on board who seem underwhelmed by the appointment. Latest Watford news, analysis and fan views Listen to Watford content on BBC Sounds Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Olympic bosses investigate why medals are breaking India-Pakistan to go ahead as government ends boycott request Winter Olympics: GB's Brookes in big air final, mixed curling team lose semi-final The rise and fall of the scandalous Maxwell family How is an NFL pitch prepared for the Super Bowl? Get your Red Nose on for a star-studded night of fun How horse cloning is transforming polo in Argentina From 1% chance of survival to Super Bowl winner GB's Brookes targets medal, plus curling semi-final - Monday's guide Revenge, redemption & representation - the story of Super Bowl 60 Five talking points from Six Nations opening round 'Killjoy' - did VAR get late drama in Liverpool v Man City right? England survive scare to beat Nepal in World Cup thriller. Video England survive scare to beat Nepal in World Cup thriller Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? An almighty scare - but are England learning? 'Townsend on the ropes after romp in swamp' Vonn crashes out of Winter Olympics downhill. Video Vonn crashes out of Winter Olympics downhill 'The shirt used to weigh heavy - now England players double in size in it' England make flying start with convincing win over poor Wales. Video England make flying start with convincing win over poor Wales 'What a moment! ' - Shepherd takes four wickets in one over. Video'What a moment! ' - Shepherd takes four wickets in one over Top run-scorer, wicket-taker and champion - T20 World Cup predictions A 'special' snooker player who became a TV star - John Virgo obituary Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.