Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone in Madrid
Will Still joked that he wouldn’t be able to coach the Hammers given his love of the club.
Still grew up in Belgium supporting West Ham and has privately and publicly never made it a mystery that the London Stadium is his Holy Grail.
Only three years ago, Still was hailed as one of the most budding and up-and-coming managers in world football when he led lowly French side Stade Reims to a 19-game unbeaten run.
Just a year after walking away, the club got relegated.
He then revived struggling Lens, guiding the club to a seventh-place finish last term, which laid the foundations for the northerners' title push this season.
Yet English football proved a tougher examination for the young man as he got sacked three months in at Southampton after winning only two of a total of 13 Championship fixtures this term.
When asked whether he can see himself taking over the managerial reins in east London one day, the grinning 33-year-old ‘ruled’ himself 'out', explaining that coaching the club of his dreams would drive him crazy on a personal level.
He exclusively told Capital Football: “I don’t think I could do it because I’m too emotionally attached to the club.
“I want them to win and I want them to win as much as they can.
“I’ll focus on my career and what I can do anywhere else.”
Still also kept schtum on revitalised West Ham’s survival chances.
He said: “I watched them against Brentford and they are playing a lot better I think.
“Nuno has got clear ideas and knows how to do it.
“I hope (they stay up) that’s all I say about West Ham.”
Yet the Belgian-born Englishman doesn’t sit on the fence with regards to the title race, believing Arsenal will definitely come out on top this time around.
He said: “I think Arsenal will win it this year, I think they’ve learned from past experiences and they’ve done the job well so far.
“I think they will go all the way, the lead they have now is enough to get over the line.
“I think there will be more results that will make it even more interesting (come the end.
"There will be more twists and turns.
“But I think Arsenal have got enough this season.”
Scraping wins even when you don’t play well is often the mark of a triumphant side.
And Still added:“Even in difficult situations they are winning games and winning games is what wins you titles.
“Arteta understands that and he’s doing it well.
"As long as they keep winning they will be fine.”