The usual and most ideal tactic when it comes to the choosing of the managerial staff is to find long-term options ready to take the club forward – something a team like Watford should want in a manager. The best teams in the world use this tactic; Liverpool have implemented it with Jurgen Klopp, Manchester City with Pep Guardiola and, for some time, Arsenal applied it successfully with Arsene Wenger.
The so-called smaller clubs have also celebrated glory after keeping faith in longer-term managers. Sheffield United and Chris Wilder have been on an incredible journey from League One to the top half of the Premier League, to use one example.
Yet, since returning to the Premier League in 2015, Watford have done the complete opposite to this. Instead of placing trust in a manager to overcome difficulties, the Hornets often apply the more ‘cutthroat tactic’ of harsh dismissals. It worked surprisingly well for a good four years; whenever things were heading in the wrong direction, a swift managerial change gave the Hornets a much-needed boost.
The Revolving Door of Managerial Changes at Watford
A Tactic That Worked for Some Time
In total, over the past five years, we have seen seven managers come and go at Watford, with not one lasting longer than a year. During that time, however, Watford have reached an FA Cup final, beaten the likes of Liverpool, and secured solid mid-table finishes. With each passing year, a new manager took to the dugout and ultimately kept Watford comfortably afloat; the revolving door of managers was working for the Hornets. Until now.
One Managerial Change Too Many at Watford
The revolving door has finally welcomed one name too many this season. Javi Gracia said his goodbyes in September as Quique Sanchez Flores took over once more. Two months later, though, and with Watford bottom of the league, the Spaniard was replaced by Nigel Pearson.
The former Leicester City man took a Watford side almost certain for the drop to within a fighting chance of survival, all in the space of a few months. Yet, once again, the revolving door span open and Pearson’s departure soon followed, despite Watford being outside the relegation zone. It proved to be their harshest and most untimely dismissal yet with just two games to go.
Suddenly, from the experience of Pearson, Watford were looking at their most inexperienced manager yet as U23 boss Hayden Mullins (who had already overseen games between Flores’ dismissal and Pearson’s appointment) attempted to complete the job Pearson had left behind. What followed, perhaps expectedly, was relegation. After five years in the top flight, Watford were relegated back to the Championship. The previously successful tactic of a revolving door of managerial appointments had finally proved fatal.
The Next Managerial Appointment Must Be the Right One
Now, despite having players such as Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ismaila Sarr and Roberto Pereyra at their disposal, Watford must prepare for a promotion fight back to the Premier League next season. The talent in the squad was obvious; relegation was the least expected outcome of the season. One managerial appointment too many, however, has helped to ensure relegation for the Hornets.
Perhaps a season in the Championship will force those at the top to find a long-term, suitable manager to ensure stability within the club and bounce straight back into the Premier League. Facing the drop will give the club plenty to think about. In a division as competitive as the Championship, too, their next managerial appointment must be the right one.
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