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Will Still signed a three-year deal to be Lens manager in June 2024 Lens boss Will Still says he oversaw his side's Ligue 1 win over Marseille after girlfriend Emma Saunders told him to remain in the dugout, despite her health problems. Saunders, a presenter on Sky Sports who previously worked for BBC Sport, said in a post on Instagram, external on Saturday she was recovering from encephalitis, which is an infection of the brain. Still had been absent for part of the build-up to Lens' 4-3 home league defeat to Le Havre on 1 March when the nature of Saunders' illness was not made public. His brothers Nicolas and Edward, who are assistants at Lens, had prepared the side during that time while Still was in the UK with Saunders, but he returned to take charge against Le Havre. With her blessing, the 32-year-old - born in Belgium to English parents - was in the technical area against Marseille on Saturday as his side snatched a dramatic victory thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Neil El Aynaoui. "When I came back last Saturday I knew she [Saunders] was in the best place possible to get treatment, " Still said after the success at Stade Velodrome. "I asked her, 'should I go? should I not go? ' - and she said to me, 'you have to go'. I thank the staff again who did the work for me when I wasn't here. " Still said Saunders is "stable" and "doing well", which was "the most important thing", as he praised his players for how they have responded to the situation. "Of course, there are more important things in life than a football match or a shot into the top corner, " Still added. "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. " When asked how he could manage in these circumstances, Still added: "It's my job, it's what I am paid for. I am well paid, so I told myself I have to give something back, hence my frustration last week. " Saunders thanked Still for "being you and being there for me" and hopes to return to Sky Sports' coverage later in the season. "I hope it won't be long until I'm back to see out the end of 2024-25 – especially after missing part of the start of the season before this when I was treated for thyroid cancer, " she wrote on Instagram. "So, as I spend time now recovering and rebuilding again I just wanted to thank my family and friends for their rock-solid support, my colleagues at Sky for their patience allowing me the time to heal, and our wonderful NHS for their extraordinary kindness and care. " Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Premier League: Raya brilliantly denies Man Utd win as Arsenal held - reaction & report India edge out New Zealand to win Champions Trophy England score seven tries in convincing win over Italy Tom Hanks guides you across the Americas Exclusive details on the Glastonbury 2025 lineup surprises Do something funny for money this Red Nose Day Learn about the oldest writing system in the world France captain Dupont has cruciate knee injury 'Free-scoring French leave Irish history tilt in tatters' Dominant France win ends Ireland's Grand Slam hopes. Video Dominant France win ends Ireland's Grand Slam hopes 'The first of three finals' - how good can Liverpool's season be? 'Does it always have to be so dramatic, Scotland? ' GB's Azu storms to 60m gold as Robertson wins bronze. Video GB's Azu storms to 60m gold as Robertson wins bronze Four spots, 11 teams - how Champions League race is shaping up 'The changing room is going crazy' - Forest on 'verge of something special' Pregnant GB shooter Mwandumba's twin aims Opportunity knocks – women's boxing can take centre stage Watch: You Tuber Mr Beast crashes Formula E car. Video Watch: You Tuber Mr Beast crashes Formula E car Which Premier League boss makes most substitutions - and who does it best? Prodigy who roomed with Bellingham eyes revival under Maradona's son Mourinho falls asleep during reporter's long question. Video Mourinho falls asleep during reporter's long question What is at stake at under-pressure Red Bull? Bolt to Rees-Zammit - a dozen career switching stars How much do Premier League clubs make from tickets? 'I'm super excited' - Beckham prepares to race Formula E car. Video'I'm super excited' - Beckham prepares to race Formula E car No snow a 'permanent concern' for Winter Paralympics 'Game's best chaser' - Kohli hailed after more ODI heroics Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.