Football manager Will Still has revealed his partner Emma Saunders was in a coma amid health complications. Sky Sports broadcaster Saunders confirmed on Friday that she suffered a brain infection while continuing her recovery from cancer treatment. She gave thanks to partner Still, who is head coach at French club Lens. Still, 32, led his team to a win away to Marseille in Ligue 1 over the weekend, Neil El Aynaoui scored the only goal of the game deep into stoppage time to stun Roberto De Zerbi's men. Lens' boss was asked about his team's performance following the victory. However, he admitted Saunders' health has been his primary focus. "It's tough," Still told L'Equipe. "We realize that there are more important things in life than a football match or a shot that goes into the top corner. "I was honest with the guys. My partner was in a coma. We had to be with her, we had to take care of her. The group reacted admirably well. [She] is stable, she's fine. That's the most important thing. "When I came back last Saturday, I knew she was in the best possible place to get treatment. I asked her the question openly: 'Do I go, do I not go?' She said to me: 'You have to go'. I thank the staff and my brothers who were there to do the work when I wasn't there. I felt like I had to give something back, hence the frustration and disappointment last week." Share your messages of support for Emma Saunders in the comments section The win for Still's team saw them end the weekend in eighth place in Ligue 1. They are now just six points shy of European qualification, with sixth-place Lyon currently on course for a Conference League spot. In an update on Instagram on Friday, Saunders wrote: "Hi folks... unfortunately life took a bit of an unexpected turn a couple of weeks ago and I’m now off work while I recover from Encephalitis - an infection of the brain. I hope it wont 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. "So, as I spend time now recovering and rebuilding - I just wanted to thank my family & 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. And of course you @wrstill just for being you & being there for me." A number of figures from the sporting world sent messages of support following Saunders' update. Among them was Soccer Saturday host Simon Thomas, who wrote: "So sorry to hear you’ve gone through this Emma. You’re missed! Look after yourself and hope you’re feeling much better soon x".