Sky Sports Presenter Shares Positive Health Update While Partner Still Eyes New Challenge in England
There’s a glimmer of optimism and fresh beginnings in the story of Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders and her partner, Belgian-English coach Will Still. After a turbulent few months that saw Emma Saunders hospitalised with a brain infection and Still torn between his job in France and his life in England, the couple now look to be stepping into a new chapter—together, and with renewed hope.
Saunders, who has been absent from her regular football broadcasting duties since February, has now spoken publicly for the first time about her health journey. Her words, both heartfelt and inspiring, hint at a return to normality ahead of the new season. Meanwhile, Still is edging closer to a managerial role at Southampton, a move that would bring him back to English shores—closer to home and to the woman who has played a central role in his recent personal and professional decisions.
Saunders Opens Up on Recovery After Brain Infection
In February,Emma Saunders’ world was turned upside down. The 31-year-old presenter, a familiar face to football fans across the UK, was diagnosed with encephalitis—a rare but serious condition that causes inflammation of the brain. Her absence from the Sky Sports studio sparked concern among colleagues and viewers alike, but details were understandably kept private until now.
Taking to Instagram to share her story, Emma Saunders revealed that a trip to Anfield earlier this year turned out to be her final game of the season.
“Wasn’t to know at the time but a trip to Anfield in Feb was my last game this season; gutted to have had this campaign cut so short but at least we signed off on a high at the home of the Champions.”
She added that the support she’s received has played a huge part in her recovery.
“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out—the kind words and encouragement have gone such a long way in recovery. Very grateful to say things are moving in the right direction and I’m feeling much more ‘me’. Looking forward to a fresh start in August.”
The comments struck a chord with many in the football community, who have grown used to seeing Emma Saunders on the sidelines, in the studio, and across Sky’s matchday coverage. Her positive tone suggests not only physical recovery but a mental readiness to return to the job she clearly loves.
Will Still: Balancing Football and Family
While Emma Saunders was recovering at home, her partner Will Still—at the time head coach of Ligue 1 side Reims—found himself facing a deeply personal dilemma. Shortly after learning of Emma Saunders’ diagnosis, Still missed a league game against Lens to be by her side. The Belgian-born coach didn’t hesitate.
“I have been honest with the guys. My girlfriend was in a coma, I had to be with her. We had to take care of her and the group have reacted admirably well,” he said at the time.
Still did return to the dugout in March, a decision he said Emma Saunders herself encouraged. But the emotional toll was clear, and his recent departure from Reims now appears to have been influenced as much by personal priorities as by footballing ambition.
According to reports from The Independent, Still is in advanced talks to become the next manager of Southampton. The Saints, who are looking to bounce back from Premier League relegation, are confident of landing the 32-year-old as they seek a fresh direction under new leadership.
A Move That’s Both Personal and Professional
On paper, the Southampton role makes sense. It’s a project filled with promise—a chance for Still to apply his high-pressing, possession-based philosophy at a club that has long prided itself on youth development and progressive football.
But more than that, it’s a move that places him back in England, closer to Emma Saunders and their support network. For a couple who’ve weathered a difficult few months apart, that alone could prove invaluable.
Still, whose footballing roots are uniquely cross-cultural—Belgian-born, English-raised, and multilingual—has always been seen as a manager on the rise. His breakthrough at Reims drew widespread attention, not just for the results but for his methodical and modern approach. The fact that he never played top-level professional football only added to his intrigue.
Now, after leaving France on his own terms, the Southampton job could offer a fresh platform—and a second chance to build something long-term, this time with his personal life more firmly in place.
Looking Ahead: A New Season and a New Chapter
Saunders has indicated she hopes to be back in action for the start of the new season in August. Her return to broadcasting will be a welcome sight—not only for Sky Sports viewers but for the footballing world that rallied around her during her absence.
As for Still, the next few weeks could prove pivotal. Should negotiations with Southampton go smoothly, he’ll have a preseason to prepare, a squad to assess, and a Championship campaign to tackle head-on. But more than that, he’ll be doing so with the reassurance of home.
There’s something quietly poetic about both of their journeys intersecting at this point. One, recovering from a health scare and eyeing a return to the game she loves. The other, preparing to bring his coaching vision to a new club while finally being able to prioritise the personal alongside the professional.
Football, Family, and a Fresh Start
In a sport that often moves at breakneck speed and demands emotional detachment, it’s easy to forget the people behind the headlines. But the story of Emma Saunders and Will Still reminds us that even in football, life comes first.
Their next chapter promises to be one of healing, ambition, and shared purpose. And when Emma Saunders returns to our screens and Still steps out at St Mary’s—if that move goes through—it won’t just mark a new season.
It’ll be the beginning of something far more meaningful: a fresh start, rooted in love, resilience, and the unwavering support of two people who’ve found their way through the storm.
