Watford announce Chris Wilder will remain as their manager until at least the end of the season
Watford announce Chris Wilder will remain their manager until at least the end of the season after rumors circulated that Gino Pozzo was ready to sell him for Francesco Farioli
- Rumors circulated that Chris Wilder was in danger of losing his job
- The former Sheffield United boss is the club’s fourth manager in less than a year
- Anti-Pozzo chants could be heard on Vicarage Road following the defeat to Huddersfield
Watford have announced that Chris Wilder will remain as manager at least until the end of the season, refuting speculation that he could be sacked after just 36 days.
It was reported by The athletic that 55-year-old Wilder would be the latest managerial casualty on Vicarage Road, with Italy’s Francesco Farioli linked to the job.
The Hornets have gone four games without a win and are 12th in the Sky Bet Championship – six points off the playoff spots.
Wilder has managed six games, winning one, drawing two and losing the other three, with hopes of reaching the playoffs quickly dwindling.
“The speculation is totally disrespectful to Chris and his staff,” Watford technical director Ben Manga said.
Reports were circulating suggesting Watford was ready to dispose of Chris Wilder after an indifferent start under him
Gino Pozzo (L) has come under fire from Watford supporters in recent months for his ‘hire-and-fire’ approach
The reports suggested Italian Francesco Farioli was lined up to replace Wilder
“As Chris has said after recent games, we are all fully focused on finishing the season strong and pushing as hard as we can while there is still a chance to make the playoffs.”
Watford have built a reputation as a rent-and-sack club in recent seasons, with Wilder as their fourth manager in less than a year.
Roy Hodgson, Rob Edwards and Slaven Bilic have all been in charge over the past year, though none of those three have lasted more than seven months.
Angry chants could be heard towards owner Gino Pozzo during the weekend’s 3-2 defeat to champions Huddersfield.
‘Gino Pozzo, leave our club,’ large sections of Vicarage Road supporters were heard chanting.
Images of a supporter with a banner calling for the Italian to leave
The anger aimed at Pozzo has been brewing for some time, with supporters leaving furious after Edwards was sacked just weeks into the campaign.
Edwards, who was brought in from Forest Green Rovers, hailed a supposed new era for the club, but he was soon replaced by Bilic.
“The Trust is deeply disappointed by Watford’s decision to sack Edwards at this time and believes it reflects wider issues within the club that need to be addressed,” the statement read, Watford supporters wrote in September last year.
Friday’s defeat to Huddersfield left Watford detached from the play-offs and their season in tatters
Slaven Bilic was sacked as manager of the club last month after only taking over in September
“Last summer the club told supporters they accepted that they had to change and saw Edwards as the man to lead that process… just a few months later there are again important questions about the club’s long-term strategy and model.
“This includes the ability to identify and support head coaches, the approach to player recruitment and development, the roles of the leadership team…”
The statement continued: “The relationship between supporters and their club is based on shared trust, respect and transparency. Unfortunately, uncertainty and instability on and off the pitch are driving a growing level of frustration and discontent among some supporters.
“We strongly encourage the owner and leadership of Watford to listen to supporter feedback across all channels, take swift action and inform supporters directly on how to bring about real, lasting change at the club .’