LAST UPDATE | 26 Sep 2022
WATFORD HAVE SACKED manager Rob Edwards and replaced him with former West Ham and West Brom boss Slaven Bilic.
The Sky Bet Championship club announced the latest overhaul of their coaching staff on Monday, less than three months after appointing Edwards.
The former Forest Green manager oversaw just 11 games and leaves with the club 10th in the table as they bid to bounce back from relegation from the Premier League last term.
Watford owner Gino Pozzo said: “As with all decisions taken by the board, I believe this change to be in the best interests of the club.
“We felt Rob had enough time to show us the identity of his team, however performances haven’t reflected our hopes and ambitions.
“Now we must move forward, and, in Slaven Bilic, we have secured the services of an experienced coach who has recent experience of promotion to the Premier League.”
Bilic, who has also managed his native Croatia in his two-decade management career, led West Brom to the top flight in 2020.
The 54-year-old’s arrival continues a remarkable churn of managers at Watford under the ownership of the Pozzo family over the past decade. He is the 17th full-time appointment since July 2012.
Edwards was brought in following the club’s relegation last summer having impressed at Forest Green, whom he led to the League Two title.
He replaced Roy Hodgson, who had been appointed on a short-term deal in January following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. The Italian, in turn, had been sacked after just three months.
Edwards made a promising start as his side collected seven points from their opening three games but had managed just one more win since.
A statement from the club added: “Watford FC has relieved Rob Edwards of his duties as head coach.
“The board of Watford Football Club wishes to place on record its thanks to Rob for all of his work since his appointment and wish him and his assistant Richie Kyle – who will also leave the club – all the very best for their future careers in coaching and management.”
Bilic has been given an 18-month contract, subject to receiving a work permit. His first match in charge will be Sunday’s trip to Stoke.
Liverpool are done. Milner, Henderson and Firmino are too old. Mane and Wijnaldum, two of their most consistent players, allowed to leave. Their replacements Thiago and Keith spend more time on the bench than on the pitch. Van Dijk is a good centre halve but his poor form is highlighting the lack of a decent partner for him. As for Salah? He looks like he has one eye on a move out of Anfield. Klopp will need a miracle to turn things around there.
@John Fagan: and the whole squad is burned out as a side affect of klopps high intensity style , same thing happened at dortmund.
@John Fagan: yeah the new guy Keith is really struggling in Manes old position. Good take.
@John Fagan: Didn’t Salah just sign a new contract at Liverpool over the summer? “Too old” Firmino who scored a brace and 3 assists just two weeks ago? Van Dijk’s main CB partner, Matip, is just back from injury. Mane wanted to leave but they signed Diaz who has been pretty prolific so far and Nunez so I’m not sure things are as bleak as you’re saying – and I’m not a Liverpool fan even
@John Fagan: we’ll see come the end of the season just how ‘done’ we are.
@Cathal Jenkinson: first of all Firminos brace and assists were against Bournemouth in a 9-0 hammering. Salah will come good, he’s too good of a player not too. In relation to VVD again he has, for some obvious and some less obvious reasons, been poor but should improve. It’s Midfield and using the high line where pool struggle. Thiago and Keita are injury prone and Henderson getting on. I think they’ll still get too 4 and get out of the group in the CL but that’s about it.
@Damien Leen: indeed we will
@John Fagan: as they where done 2 years ago. It’s great insights you find from opposing supporters.
@Gareth Keenan: Very harsh on Keith.
@Getard Lanslanger: I thought so too!
There’s no doubt Liverpool will bounce back. But the bar they set for themselves was incredible. It was almost 110% in 9 games out of 10. They’ll come back again but can’t see them getting close to city this year. Genuinely think there’s a good race on for 2nd across all the rest. Liverpool favourites but other teams now raising the bar themselves at the right time.
Liverpool s problems were evident long before Napoli game , and if you keep persisting doing the same thing and look for better then it’s called delusion . Keita is injured and all of a sudden he is fit for his country , something in the off field department needs sorting first imo .The high line is great if your mid field first does it’s job and I will include firmino in that department because he drops to bolster it , and the space that this leaves when people don’t work is obvious to all .
Always thought a manager’s job(generic, not just football) was to understand the scope, scale and changing nature of the environment within which they operate and adjust appropriately BEFORE the sh!t hits the fan.
Only a verbal agreement for potter at Chelsea , time to klippity klop down the road to london!!