Watford gave Quique Flores the push on the weekend after the Hornets failed to hold on to a lead away at Southampton. They lost the crucial survival battle 2-1 in the end and that left them six points from safety. Watford took just one win in 10 games that Flores was in charge of for his second spell at the club.
Next Watford manager Odds*
Chris Hughton – 8/11
Quique Setien – 10/1
Mark Hughes – 10/1
Slavisa Jokanovic – 11/1
Alan Pardew – 12/1
Paul Clement – 14/1
Aidy Boothroyd – 16/1
Tony Pulis – 16/1
Francesco Guidolin – 16/1
Sam Allardyce – 20/1
Martin O’Neill – 20/1
* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 1st, 2019 at 4:34 pm).
Premier League Betting at Betfair
The Spaniard lasted three months after having been brought in to replace Javi Gracia. Two managers down. Bottom of the league. Favourites for relegation. One win in their last 18 top-flight games. It’s not a good spot for the Hornets. Watford announced that a new managerial appointment is imminent.
But who will that be?
It has to be someone who is up for a massive relegation fight, even to the point where the quality of performances doesn’t matter. This isn’t about looking good for Watford now. It’s about survival. There’s been no real hint of who is heading to Vicarage Road to take over, but former Brighton boss Chris Hughton is the 5/6 favourite at Betfair in the Next Watford manager market* (betting odds taken from Betfair on December 1st, 2019 at 4:34 pm).
Hughton currently isn’t doing anything at the moment so would be available to come and take over. His track record of having kept Brighton in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons will be something that will probably pique Watford’s interest. Hughton was sacked by Brighton at the end of last season, despite keeping them afloat with a 17th place finish. Given their situation, Watford would happily take that.
It is a bit of a muddled market at the moment. There is former Stoke boss Mark Hughes who has experience of things at the wrong end of the league table, while ex-Real Betis boss Quique Setien’s name has been touted around. But this looks like a situation where Watford needs someone with Premier League grit. To that end, Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew along with former boss Aidy Boothroyd are outsiders.
