We take a look at the top six favourites to become the next Watford manager following the sacking of Nigel Pearson on Sunday afternoon.
It’s said that he defeat to West Ham United left club officials infuriated and put the manager’s job in serious jeopardy.
Hayden Mullins and Graham Stack will take charge for final two games against Man City and Arsenal, the players have also been informed.
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The Hornets could still get relegated from the Premier League this season, sitting just three points above the drop zone after 36 matches played.
“Although not able to finish the task I was brought in to achieve, I wish Watford all the best,” Pearson tweeted.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the well wishes I’ve received from Watford supporters and the football community. Thank you all for your kind messages.”
Watford’s many recent managers (League records only)
Nigel Pearson (2019-20) 20 games, 7 won, 25 pts, 35 Win %
Quique Sanchez Flores (2019) 10 games, 1 won, 7 pts, 10 Win %
Javi Gracia (2018-19) 56 games, 18 won, 66 pts, 32 Win %
Marco Silva (2017-18) 24 games, 7 won, 26 pts, 29 Win %
Walter Mazzarri (2016-17) 38 games, 11 won, 40 pts, 29 Win %
Quique Sanchez Flores (2015-16) 38 games, 12 won, 45 pts, 32 Win %
So who are the top six favourites to become next Watford manager? Take a look below…
6) John Terry, Sam Allardyce and Sabri Lamouchi
John Terry is currently number two to Dean Smith at Aston Villa. Reports have linked him with the Bristol City job, though there has apparently been no contact according to the club’s manager, though elsewhere, it claims he’s ready for the challenge. Could he instead head to Watford? We think it’s unlikely but one to keep an eye on.
Sam Allardyce has been out of work since leaving Everton in May 2018, and even turned down the chance to re-manage Newcastle in July 2019. He’s recently been appearing on radio talking about the beautiful game. The former England boss’ other managerial jobs includes Limerick (player-manager, won League of Ireland First Division 1991/92), Preston (caretaker), Blackpool, Notts County (won Third Division 1997/98), Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham (won Championship playoffs 2012), Bolton, Crystal Palace and of course Everton.
Sabri Lamouchi is currently manager of Nottingham Forest, who are expect to compete in the Championship playoffs. He signed a new contract in June 2020. In December 2019, the Reds head coach was reported to have twice turned down an approach from the Hornets.
Sky Bet odds to takeover at Watford say: 12/1
5) Hayden Mullins
He is currently the interim manager for the club following Pearson’s departure.
Hayden Mullins joined the Hornets back in July 2016, having initially arrived at the club as Under-23 Assistant Coach, though Mullins has more recently been the Hornets’ Lead Under-23 Professional Development Coach.
A former professional midfielder for Crystal Palace, West Ham, Portsmouth, Reading, Birmingham and Notts County, Mullins amassed over 500 appearances in all competitions and was an FA Cup runner-up with Pompey.
He stepped up to manage the first team for two matches in December 2019 – against Leicester City and Crystal Palace. When Nigel Pearson arrived at the club as Head Coach, Mullins continued to work alongside him with the first team.
Sky Bet odds to takeover at Watford say: 10/1
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4) Chris Hughton
Hughton recently expressed an interest in taking over from Lee Johnson at Bristol City, according to Sky Sports, though they are yet to appoint anyone.
He has been out of work for 14 months having been sacked by Brighton & Hove Albion after just about managing to keep them up last season.
He was most recently the favourite for the vacancy at Birmingham City, who are still yet to appoint a new manager with Pep Clotet stepping down at the end of the season.
Hughton had his contract terminated by the Seagulls – the team he won came Championship runners up with in 2017 despite avoiding the drop from the Premier League.
However he won just three of their last 23 league games and none of their final nine.
He has also managed Norwich City, Birmingham City and Newcastle United (won the Championship with in 2010).
In October 2019, Hughton turned down replacing Nathan Jones as manager Stoke City.
He also said: “I do want to get back in at the highest level that I can but I’m using my time out well and very much making the most of it.
“I’m in the fortunate position, I’m not a first time manager or second time manager that is worried about where the next job is coming from and it’s a very precarious profession that we’re in.
“So, I’m all through all of that. I supposed I would be seen as a more experienced manager now, so I think that takes a little bit of pressure off.”
He had been adamant that he was good enough to manage a club in the Premier League again.
Sky Bet odds to takeover at Watford say: 8/1
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3) Danny Cowley
Most recently was sacked by Huddersfield Town, despite beating second place West Brom in his last game in charge, which all-but confirmed the club’s survival.
It’s understood that owner Phil Hodgkinson wanted total control over transfers — but his manager was not willing to work that way.
Danny first grabbed the attention of the country when he and his brother took Lincoln City all the way to the FA Cup Quarter Finals in 2017, causing shocks against Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley along the way.
The Imps finished the 2016/17 season crowned champions of the National League and then in the 2017/18 season finished 7th, claiming a playoff place in their first season back in the Football League and also won the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
In the 2018/19 season Danny and Nicky Cowley’s side finished top of the League Two table and won promotion to League One.
Danny Cowley left League One high flyers Lincoln to join the the Championship strugglers in September, who at the time were 23rd in the table having failed to win any of their first six matches.
Sky Bet odds to takeover at Watford say: 5/1
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2) Zlatko Dalic
He is a former footballer turned manager, currently of the Croatia national team, and has been since 2017.
He led the national team to the 2018 World Cup Final, where they reached their highest-ever Elo ranking (1,973 points) and highest-ever positioning in the history of Croatia, securing second place to France.
Dalić signed a new contract in late July 2020 with Croatian Football Federation that kept him at the position of Croatia manager until the end of 2022, earning an annual salary of €1.6 million.
HIS MANAGERIAL CAREER:
Varteks Varaždin – 11 September 2004 until 18 September 2004
Varteks Varaždin – 20 July 2005 until 19 May 2007
Total – 84 games, 35 wins, 13 draws, 36 defeats, 41.67 win %
Rijeka – 20 July 2007 until 28 June 2008
Total – 41 games, 16 wins, 14 draws, 11 defeats, 39.02 win %
Dinamo Tirana – 17 August 2008 until 4 February 2009
Total – 23 games, 10 wins, 8 draws, 5 defeats, 43.48 win %
Slaven Belupo – 9 August 2009 until 13 May 2010
Total – 32 games, 12 wins, 10 draws, 10 defeats, 37.5 win %
Al-Faisaly – 15 August 2010 until 27 April 2012
Total – 55 games, 17 wins, 14 draws, 24 defeats, 30.91 win %
Al-Hilal – 9 February 2013 until 22 May 2013
Total – 20 games, 11 wins, 6 draws, 3 defeats, 55 win %
Al-Ain – 12 March 2014 until 23 January 2017
Total – 155 games, 83 wins, 40 draws, 32 defeats, 53.55 win %
Croatia – 7 October 2017 until Present
Total – 30 games, 16 wins, 7 draws, 7 defeats, 53.33 win %
Career Total – 440 games, 200 wins, 112 draws, 128 defeats, 45.45 win %
Sky Bet odds to takeover at Watford say: 4/1
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1) Claude Puel
Was sacked by mid-table Leicester City in February 2019, following a 4–1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.
He first took charge of the Foxes in 2017, won 2-0 against Everton first game, but ended up picking up only three wins from 14 league games, which then led to Puel being accused of negative football.
He blocked Riyad Mahrez’s transfer to Manchester City on deadline day which saw player go absent from training for ten days.
Having joined Leicester when they were in 18th place, Puel guided the club up the table to finish in 9th.
Thee season finished and he was speculated to be leaving the club, though he continued as manager.
On 4 October 2019, Puel joined Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Étienne as their new manager, on a contract lasting until 2022.
Puel’s team beat reigning champions Rennes in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France on 5 March 2020, to reach the final for the first time since 1982.
They finished the season 17th in a table that was based on points-per-game, just about avoiding the drop.
Sky Bet odds to takeover at Watford say: 9/4
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Others listed by the bookmakers Sky Bet are Marco Silva – 14/1, Carlos Corberan – 16/1, Eddie Howe – 16/1, Lee Bowyer – 16/1 and Slavisa Jokanovic – 16/1.
Now you’ve seen the top six favourites to become next Watford manager, who do you think should replaced Pearson? Let us know by clicking HERE.
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