Watford have confirmed the appointment of former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder as their new head coach.
The announcement came within 20 minutes of the club confirming Slaven Bilic and his coaching staff had left.
Bilic was appointed in September 2022 after Rob Edwards failed to hit the ground running when joining from Forest Green Rovers in the summer.
They’ve wasted no time in replacing him with Wilder, who has numerous promotions on his CV, including with Sheffield United and Northampton Town.
Wilder is the club’s 10th manager since September 2019 and has signed a contract until the end of the season.
Watford Make Another Managerial Change With Slaven Bilic Dismissed
The Hornets are pleased to confirm the appointment of Chris Wilder as Head Coach on a contract until the end of this season.
Welcome to Watford, Chris! 👋
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) March 7, 2023
Play-Off Hopes Still There for Wilder’s Watford
Watford have lost just two of their last 10 Championship games, though a series of draws, the most recent of which came in a 0-0 with Preston North End at Vicarage Road on Saturday, have proved damaging for Bilic.
The club find themselves just four points below the play-off places and have decided this is the time to make a change to give them the best chances of promotion back to the Premier League – a feat their new boss achieved when Sheffield United finished as Championship runners-up in 2018/19.
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Wilder was also successful through the play-offs further down the pyramid with Oxford United rising from the then Conference (now National League) in 2010.
Wilder most recently left Middlesbrough after a poor start to the 2022/23 season that saw him replaced by Manchester United legend Michael Carrick, they now sit third.
‘To Change Coach is the Only Option’ – Technical Director Ben Manga Seeking Manager Bounce
Watford technical director Ben Manga outlined the club’s ambitions when announcing Bilic’s exit, he told the club website: “We are all ambitious to succeed this season, so something new is needed quickly while the opportunity of promotion is still real.
“With the January transfer window over, to change coach is the only option available to re-energise for the final games ahead.”
Watford will hope to start hitting promotion form in their upcoming fixtures with Wilder’s first game in charge a trip to struggling Queens Park Rangers’ Loftus Road on Saturday, March 11.
