Watford have sacked Rob Edwards after winning only three of his 11 games in charge and have appointed Slaven Bilic as the club’s fifth head coach in a year.
Edwards had departed Forest Green Rovers for the Watford job in acrimonious circumstances this summer, having guided Forest Green to the 2021-22 League Two title, with Forest Green chairman Dale Vince accusing the Championship club of negotiating “behind our backs”.
Watford issued a statement at the time saying Edwards had “a contractual provision allowing him to leave Forest Green Rovers at any time to discuss employment” but ended his contract prematurely.
Bilic, the former West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion manager, has been without a job since January, when he left the Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan after a year in charge.
“As with all decisions taken by the board, I believe this change to be in the best interests of the club,” the Watford owner Gino Pozzo said.
“We felt Rob had enough time to show us the identity of his team, however performances haven’t reflected our hopes and ambitions.
“Now we must move forward, and, in Slaven Bilic, we have secured the services of an experienced coach who has recent experience of promotion to the Premier League.”
Watford are tenth in the Sky Bet Championship table with Edwards winning three of his ten league games since replacing Roy Hodgson as head coach. Watford are already out of the EFL Cup after Edwards’ side were beaten 1-0 by MK Dons in August.
Watford’s board expected the club to make an immediate return to the Premier League after being relegated last season, but do not believe the club are on course to do that two months into the season.
“Watford FC has relieved Rob Edwards of his duties as head coach,” the club said in a statement. “The board of Watford Football Club wishes to place on record its thanks to Rob for all of his work since his appointment and wish him and his assistant Richie Kyle — who will also leave the club — all the very best for their future careers in coaching and management. The Hornets will confirm its newly appointed head coach in due course.”
