Watford SACK Rob Edwards after just over four months in charge
Trigger-happy Watford sack manager Rob Edwards – the man they vowed to ‘support come hell or high water’ just 10 games ago – and turn to Slaven Bilic to become their FIFTH boss in 12 months
- Watford have axed yet ANOTHER manager, dismissing Rob Edwards on Monday
- Edwards marked the fourth sacking at Vicarage Road in just under a year
- The 39-year-old was appointed in May after impressing at Forest Green Rovers
- The Hornets sit 10th in the Championship just one point off the playoff places
- Watford have lined up Slaven Bilic as their fifth new boss in just under 12 months
Watford manager Rob Edwards has been sacked just 10 games into the new season.
Edwards was only installed as Hornets boss in May following the departure of Roy Hodgson, who could not prevent relegation from the Premier League last season.
Slaven Bilic is a contender to replace Edwards as is Xisco, who secured the club’s promotion back into the top-flight in 2021, is one of the candidates to replace Edwards if he loses his job.
Watford have sacked Rob Edwards after just over four months in charge at Vicarage Road
The Hornets chiefs are now searching for their fifth new head coach in just under 12 months
Ex-West Ham and West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic has been lined up as a replacement
The Hornets are preparing to search for their 17th permanent head coach since July 2012.
That’s just one fewer than West Ham have appointed in their entire history!
Watford are 10th in the Championship having won just three of their opening 10 league matches.
They also crashed out of the EFL Cup against MK Dons last month.
Sporting director Cristiano Giaretta is believed to be in situ at the club amid indications last week that he has left.
Hornets chiefs expect the club to bounce straight back into the Premier league this season and have a long history of sacking managers at the first sight of trouble.
And the club’s Italian powerbase have shown their ruthless streak once again with Edwards.
The manager left Forest Green Rovers in controversial fashion in May as his former club reacted angrily to a lack of contact from Watford.
Disappointed by Edwards’ decision to speak to Watford without them knowing, the League Two champions said in a statement: ‘We’re disappointed that our support, loyalty and honesty towards Rob has been repaid in this way – with negotiations taking place behind our backs.
‘We had no contact from Watford, from whom we might expect less, but in any event this kind of behaviour gives football a bad name.
Watford axed Xisco Munoz in October 2021 and have since failed to find a long-term solution
‘We thank Rob for all his work at FGR – forgive him for the manner of his departure and wish him well.’
As a result of Edwards’ departure, Forest Green received six months compensation from Watford, who have now axed the 39-year-old after just under five months in charge.
The Hornets dismissed Xisco in October 2021 after the Spaniard failed to carve out a fruitful start to their Premier League campaign, just months after he won the club promotion to the top flight.
Both Claudio Ranieri and Roy Hodgson came in and out after Watford sacked Munoz last year
Claudio Ranieri came in to steady the ship but was sacked by January 2022, handing Roy Hodgson the task of keeping the Hornets afloat in the Premier League.
Ahead of Watford’s inevitable relegation, Hodgson agreed not to continue at Vicarage Road beyond the summer, which ultimately paved way for Edwards.
Watford will now search for their 17th permanent head coach since July 2012, which is only one fewer than West Ham have appointed in their entire history, according to OPTA.
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