* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Watford’s place in the Premier League is major doubt and we all know that only means one thing at Vicarage Road – it’s time for a managerial change!
Not happy with firing just the one head coach this season, Claudio Ranieri has been given chop after last Friday’s dire defeat at home to fellow strugglers Norwich.
Ranieri was only appointed in early October after the Hornets decided to ditch Xisco Munoz, who got the club back in the top-flight at the first time of asking.
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That promotion from the Championship wasn’t enough to keep him in the big chair though, with former Chelsea, Leicester and Fulham boss Ranieri drafted in to keep the club up.
But bar a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United which proved to be the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Italian has made little impact at the Hertfordshire side and they lie second-bottom of the pile.
He’s paid for their slump with his job. So, who could Watford turn to next? Here are some of the potential runners and riders.
FABIO CANNAVARO
The former Italy captain has been linked with the Everton job but could a move to Watford be on the cards instead? His managerial record is patchy at best with plenty of experience in the Middle East and China. He may at least be able to get Watford organised at the back.
GENNARO GATTUSO
Another Italian candidate here, albeit one with a slightly better managerial CV than his former international team-mate. Gattuso was last seen in charge of Napoli and had the gig at AC Milan before that.
MARK HUGHES
Hughes kept Southampton up from a seemingly doomed position in 2018 before being sacked early the following campaign. That survival mission may appeal to Watford’s owners who need a U-turn in their dire form sharpish.
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO
Not long out of the Spurs job, could Nuno make the move to the Hornets? With a Championship title medal in his back pocket from Wolves he could be a slightly better long-term fit for the club should they go down… but when have Watford ever considered the long-term?
SAM ALLARDYCE
We’ve mentioned Mark Hughes, and now for the ultimate survival specialist. Well, sort of. His track record took a bit of a knock with West Brom’s limp relegation last season, but Big Sam usually gets the job done as seen at Bolton, Sunderland, Blackburn and Crystal Palace.
KASPER HJULMAND
Now for a really left-field pick. Hjulmand led Denmark to the Euro 2020 semi-finals last summer where they were eventually beaten by England in extra time. Would he give up a stable and secure job in a World Cup year for Watford, though?
PAULO FONSECA
The former Roma, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk boss has been linked with several Premier League sides but none have yet taken the plunge. Could this finally be his time the 48-year-old gets a job in England?
FRANK LAMPARD
It wouldn’t be a Premier League club next manager market without Lampard being mentioned. Will this be his first job back since being sacked by Chelsea in January last year? It’s been a long wait for the former Derby man to get back into the game.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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