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Watford sacked Quique Sanchez Flores just 85 days after a celebrated return to Vicarage Road. The Hornets are 20th after having lost to Southampton in a VAR themed reverse. Flores was sacked and Watford FC has held off communication until they announce a new boss. Considering this is the second manager to be let go after Javi Gracia earlier this year, Watford might be short of options for a new top man. The Hereford club is ruthless with its managers and is very serious about staying in the Premier League. However, their record this season does not look promising. There are some proven managers around though and Watford could still turn it around.
There are reports circulating that the players want a home-grown manager familiar with the English game after Gracia and Flores failed to turn it around. Let us look at the potential replacements for the struggling club.
#3 Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce (known as Big Sam) is no stranger to relegation battles. So much so that he is now associated with them. His last few jobs at Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Everton have made him a firefighter-extraordinaire. The former England boss has been out of work for over a season since being sacked after finishing 8th with Everton. Perhaps it is sweet fate that the man he replaced at Everton is also under pressure.
Watford is clamouring for goals and Allardyce is a specialist at forcing results. For example, in his last 24 PL games -- his spell at Everton, he conceded only 21 goals despite a heavy defeat to Arsenal. Watford may only need the one goal a game at best to get results. Allardyce might be tempted to take the hot seat but it would be interesting to watch if he agrees with Watford's policy of switching managers every summer.
Further, Allardyce's might not fancy taking the Watford job with pressure mounting on former clubs West Ham and Everton. Though the chances of his getting those jobs are slim Allardyce has no real need to walk into the mess at Watford. Big Sam also was left dismayed when his performance at Everton was rewarded with a sacking. With the Pozzos reluctant to offer assurances over more than six months, Allardyce might be unwilling to take the job. If they do get him in, however, the Hornets might comfortably remain in the Premier League.
#2 Paul Clement
Paul Clement has been a part of coaching teams at large clubs like Bayern Muchen and Paris Saint-Germain with Carlo Ancelotti. By default, he has worked with the best. His record as an independent manager is also not too shabby. His first season at Derby County concluded with sacking for having a 'poor style of play' despite being in the play-off positions. In his second job at Swansea City AFC was in the Premier League. He was appointed mid-season and did well to keep them up. His summer signings did not pay off. For example, big-name Renato Sanches did not settle and failed to contribute to his side effectively. Clement was sacked, unfairly according to many commentators from a very dire situation at Swansea. He has since worked at Reading, embroiled in a relegation battle in the Championship and failed to rescue them from the poor form.
Considering his experience with struggling clubs, Clement might be wary of going for Watford, which is under so much pressure. Watford with their record of sacking managers might be willing to look past it and provide him with a short term contract. However, Watford would benefit from his pragmatic style and astute coaching methods. He might also lack experience as Head Coach to rescue a side so deep in trouble. Clement is said to be a great coach but can he convince the misfiring Watford that they are good enough to win?
#1 Chris Hughton
The hot favourite right now to succeed Flores is Chris Hughton. Chris Hughton has led Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion to Promotion and kept them in the Premier League. Should the Hornets go down, there are few better managers out there with Championship experience. Hughton struggled at Norwich in his second season but that was as much a result of a poor squad as it was of Hughton's management. Watford has a good squad and needs an organiser as Hughton has proved to be. Younger than Allardyce and possibly cheaper, Hughton has proved he has tactical nous. His Brighton side over the last two seasons was resilient and chased down results at unlikely venues. He is also known for his calm approach to team-building and pragmatic style.
Hughton would represent a good long-term move for Watford but it might well be that Watford's Pozzo family prefer a rotating door with managerial appointments. Only Javi Gracia and Marco Silva were given more than a year on their contracts and both were sacked long before the second year began. Chris Hughton will find it difficult to keep the Hornets up but the squad at Watford would respect his ability as a tactician and coach. Hughton has done well with limited budgets and may not want too many signings in the January window either, meaning the Watford board would be making a sound financial decision. The supporters would react better to Hughton as well because of his nationality and proven recent record.
