Watford announce Chris Wilder will remain as their manager
Watford announce Chris Wilder will remain as their manager until at least the end of the season after rumours circulated Gino Pozzo was ready to dispose of him for Francesco Farioli
- Rumours had circulated suggesting Chris Wilder was in danger of losing his job
- The former Sheffield United boss is the club’s fourth manager in under a year
- Anti-Pozzo chants were heard at Vicarage Road after defeat to Huddersfield
Watford have announced that Chris Wilder will remain as manager until at least the end of the season, quashing speculation he was set to be sacked after just 36 days in charge.
It had been reported by The Athletic that 55-year-old Wilder was going to be the latest managerial casualty at Vicarage Road, with Italian Francesco Farioli linked with the job.
The Hornets are without a win in four games and sit 12th in the Sky Bet Championship – six points off the play-off places.
Wilder has overseen six games, winning one, drawing two and losing the other three with their hopes of reaching the play-offs shortening swiftly.
‘The speculation is totally disrespectful to Chris and his staff,’ said Watford’s technical director Ben Manga.
Reports had circulated suggesting Watford were ready to dispose of Chris Wilder after indifferent start to life under him
Gino Pozzo (L) has come under fire from Watford supporters in recent months for his hire-and-fire approach
The reports suggested Italian Francesco Farioli was being lined up to replace Wilder
‘As Chris has said after recent games, we are all fully focused on ending the season strongly and pushing as hard as we can while there’s still a chance of making the play-offs.’
Watford have built a reputation as a hire-and-fire club in recent seasons, with Wilder being their fourth manager in under a year.
Roy Hodgson, Rob Edwards and Slaven Bilic have all been in charge within the past year, though none of those three lasted more than seven months.
Angry chants could be heard in the direction of owner Gino Pozzo during the weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Championship strugglers Huddersfield.
‘Gino Pozzo, get out of our club,’ large sections of the supporters inside Vicarage Road could be heard singing.
Footage of a supporter with a banner calling for the Italian to leave
The anger aimed at Pozzo has been brewing for some time, with supporters left incensed after Edwards was disposed of just weeks into the campaign.
Edwards, who was brought in from Forest Green Rovers, hailed a supposed new era for the club but he was shortly replaced by Bilic.
‘The Trust is deeply disappointed by Watford’s decision to fire Edwards at this time and feels it reflects broader issues within the club that must be addressed,” the statement read,’ Watford supporters wrote in September last year.
Friday’s defeat to Huddersfield left Watford adrift of the play-offs and their season in tatters
Slaven Bilic was sacked as the club’s manager last month having only taken over in September
‘This past summer, the club told supporters that it accepted it had to change and saw Edwards as the man to lead that process … just a few months later, there are again significant questions about the club’s long-term strategy and model.
‘This includes the ability to identify and support head coaches, the approach for recruitment and player development, the roles of its leadership team… ”
The statement continued: ‘The relationship between supporters and their club is based on shared trust, respect and transparency. Sadly, uncertainty and volatility on and off the pitch are fuelling a growing level of frustration and discontent amongst some supporters.
‘We strongly encourage Watford’s owner and leadership to listen to supporters’ feedback through all channels, take swift action to address it and communicate directy to supporters on how real, lasting change will be made at the club.’
Source: Read Full Article