They sit 10th in the table.
Watford have confirmed that head coach Marco Silva has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
Watford’s form has dipped massively since a promising start to the season and the statement appears to blame Everton’s approach to take the manager to Goodison Park:
“This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly. The Club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for his services we would have continued to prosper under his leadership.”
It continued to explain the decision to sack Silva:
“The catalyst for this decision is that unwarranted approach, something which the Board believes has seen a significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised.”
📝 | #watfordfc has parted company with Marco Silva.
The Club will seek to make a swift appointment and there will be no further comment until that appointment has been made.
More here ⤵️https://t.co/vQbbURcTbn
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 21, 2018
Silva was tempted by the Everton job and but it seems odd to blame another club for unsettling a manager to such an extent that you are left with no option but to sack him.
Watford have endured a poor run of form after an incredible start to the season saw them break into the top 6, but they are still 10th and there is time to arrest the slide. Evidently, Watford felt that wouldn’t be possible with Silva. Also, while 10th appears a safe position, there are only five points between them and Southampton in 18th.
The club do get through managers at a fast rate, but they tend to give them a whole season. Quique Sanchez Flores and Walter Mazzari were both given full seasons before being sacked by the Pozzo family who owns Watford.
