Who is Edward Still? Watford FC's potential next Head Coach | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at Edward Still's career to date, amid reports that he could be appointed by Watford as their new Head Coach.

Watford are closing in on the appointment of Edward Still as their new head coach following the departure of former boss Javi Gracia.

The Hornets lost 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday under the stewardship of caretaker boss Charlie Daniels, while Still is now set for a Vicarage Road arrival.

Watford's defeat to the Saints leaves them 11th in the Championship, albeit they remain just three points adrift of the play-off spots.

The Hertfordshire outfit have not earned a victory in the second tier since a 3-0 win over Birmingham City on New Year's Day, which came thanks to a Tom Ince hat-trick.

Who is Watford FC's next expected head coach Edward Still?

As first reported by Sacha Tavolieri, Edward Still is close to becoming Watford's new head coach - and the family name is already known within the EFL.

Still is the brother of Will, who endured an unsuccessful stint in charge of Watford's Championship rivals Southampton this term, leading the Saints to just four wins in 16 attempts.

The 35-year-old began his first managerial job at Belgian side Charleroi in May 2021, when he was 30.

He had a successful first season in charge of Charleroi, enjoying a 3-0 debut win over Oostende, and ultimately steering the club to a sixth-place finish in the top flight.

However, Still was sacked in October 2022, courtesy of a poor run of form in which his side earned just 16 points from a possible 42, culminating in a 4-1 loss to Cercle Brugge.

Still wasn't out of the game for long, though, and was appointed by fellow Belgian top-flight side Eupen in November 2022, enjoying a victory over Seraing in his first game in charge the following December.

However, the former Charleroi boss was sacked by Eupen in April 2023, losing 5-1 to Zulte Waregem and 7-0 to Club Brugge in his final two games.

The Kehrwegstadion club narrowly avoided relegation to the second tier in the 2022/23 season, finishing just one point above the drop zone.

Still went on to endure an even worse stint in charge of Kortrijk, which saw him sacked on 25 September 2023, having only joined them ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Belgian, who has English parents, became an assistant coach to his brother Will at French side Lens in June 2024, and was hired as Anderlecht's assistant a year later.

Still has remained in that role at Anderlecht since his arrival, while the club currently sit fourth in the Belgian top flight, having earned 10 wins from 24 league fixtures.

Edward Still appointment could be a major risk for Watford FC and their play-off hopes

Watford sit just three points behind sixth-place Wrexham, meaning that they have a major opportunity to return to the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2022.

However, Still's managerial record in Belgium has not always been the most impressive, and the Hornets should be wary of the fact that he failed to succeed at Kortrijk and also left Eupen in relegation danger.

Still's first season in charge of Charleroi was promising, but he has certainly shown inconsistency in the dugout, and could struggle to adjust to the demands of the Championship.

Furthermore, the 35-year-old has served as an assistant boss since the summer of 2024, so becoming Watford's head coach is a major step up from his current role.