Should More English Coaches Go Abroad? Still & Rosenior Lead the Way in France

Two English Coaches Face Off in Ligue 1 – A Sign of Change?

As Thomas Tuchel prepares to take charge of England’s national team, two young English managers, Will Still and Liam Rosenior, continue to make waves abroad.

This Sunday, they will face off in France’s Ligue 1, as Lens host Strasbourg at Stade Bollaert-Delelis—a rare meeting of British coaches in Europe’s top five leagues.

Breaking Barriers: Still & Rosenior’s Journeys Abroad

Still (32) took an unconventional path, becoming a head coach in Belgium at just 24 before joining Lens.
Rosenior (40), a former pro, gained experience at Derby County & Hull City before taking over Strasbourg.

Both are part of an exclusive group, with just six British managers in Europe’s top five leagues—the others all in the Premier League:
Eddie Howe (Newcastle)
David Moyes (West Ham)
Graham Potter (Chelsea)
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)

Still on Rosenior: “His Strasbourg team entertains people. He did an unbelievable job at Hull, and he’s doing it again here.”

Rosenior on Still: “He’s got a distinct style of play and is very respected in France.”

Why Aren’t More British Coaches Managing Abroad?

Thomas Tuchel will be the England men’s team’s third foreign coach, after Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello

Limited Opportunities

Premier League: Just 20 jobs available
🇪🇸 La Liga: 14 Spanish coaches
🇮🇹 Serie A: 16 Italian coaches
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: 10 German coaches
🇫🇷 Ligue 1: 9 French coaches

Still: “Are there enough English coaches getting opportunities? Are clubs even considering them as real options?”

Should British Coaches Seek Experience Abroad?

More British players are moving abroad—should coaches follow?

Still: “It’s a great experience. You learn different cultures, playing styles, and opposition.”

Rosenior: “It’s not about nationality. It’s about being the best coach you can be.”

With British coaching talent thriving abroad, could more managers break into European football in the years ahead?

What’s Next?

Still vs. Rosenior – Lens vs. Strasbourg (Sunday, Ligue 1)
Can more English managers break through in Europe?