Watford appointed Claudio Ranieri as the head coach in October but has failed to turn around the team’s fortunes, with the Hornets dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season after Friday’s loss to Norwich. Under Ranieri, Watford has lost seven of their last eight league games, with their most recent victory being the 4-1 defeat of Manchester United in November at Vicarage Road.No no wins, no clean sheets, no discipline as the club struggles.
The team has not won in nine matches in all competitions, being their longest run without a victory since December 2013. Norwich enjoyed their biggest margin of victory in a Premier League match since beating West Brom 4-0 in May 2013, and their biggest away from home in the division since September 1993, a 5-1 win at Everton.
With Watford having gone 30 Premier League games now without a clean sheet, since a 3-0 win v Liverpool in February 2020 with only West Brom enduring a longer such run in the history of the competition. Since the start of 2016-17, only the Gunners have picked up more Premier League red cards than Watford. Confirming Ranieri’s departure on Monday evening through a statement, Watford said: “The Hornets’ board recognises Claudio as a man of great integrity and honour, who will always be respected here at Vicarage Road for his efforts in leading the team with dignity.
Watford battles relegation as management sack head coach
The board however feels that, with nearly half of the Premier League campaign remaining, a change in the head coach position now will give a new appointment sufficient time to work with a talented squad to achieve the immediate goal of retaining Premier League status.
By the exit of Ranieri, Watford’s board will now have plenty of time to find the Italian’s successor, with the team’s next match being away to Burnley who are bottom of the Premier League on Saturday, February 5. Ranieri replaced Xisco Munoz, who took charge of Watford’s first seven Premier League matches during this campaign, winning two and losing four. Munoz had overseen the Hornets’ promotion to the top flight last season.
Ranieri’s first match in charge was the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool at home on October 16, but he recorded his first win in his next game – a 5-2 victory at Everton. But the 4-1 wins over United proved to be Ranieri’s second and final victory as Watford manager. He lost 11 of his 14 matches in charge.
Embattled Watford head coach during a past match, via Getty Images
The embattled coach departure means Watford have now sacked five head coaches since the exit of Javi Gracia in September 2019. Quique Sanchez Flores, Nigel Pearson, Vladimir Ivic, Munoz and Ranieri have all left the club during that 28-month period, while Hayden Mullins has also had two spells as caretaker in that time.
The Pozzo family is now searching for their 16th permanent manager since completing their takeover of Watford in June 2012. There was a lengthy delay as the lights went out at Vicarage Road during the match between Watford and Norwich However, there shall be no doubt discussions will be happening tonight at the boardroom level with this club because that’s what they notoriously do. Claudio got the job on the back of the way this club works.
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