Watford sack Marco Silva and blame Everton’s ‘unwarranted approach’ as major factor behind decision
WATFORD have sacked Marco Silva and blamed Everton’s ‘unwarranted approach’ two months ago as a major factor behind the decision.
The Hornets have lost eight of their last 11 games, with the latest setback coming at Leicester on Saturday, since the Toffees offered £8.5million in compensation to take the Portuguese coach to Goodison.
Watford rejected the approach from the Goodison Park side and held onto Silva, who appeared interested in holding talks with the Merseysiders.
But the deterioration in form since that episode has led to Watford slipping just five points, which could be cut to three later this afternoon, above the drop zone.
And that worrying slide has proven too much as club chiefs decided to wield the axe this morning.
A Watford statement said: “Watford football club has parted company with Marco Silva. 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.
“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.
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“For the security and success of the football club, the board believes it has to make a change.
“The club will seek to make a swift appointment and there will be no further comment until that appointment has been made.”
Watford threatened to report Everton to the Premier League over their attempts to lure Silva to Goodison.
The Hornets sent letters to the club from lawyers warning them off the 40-year-old.
But tensions started to rise when Silva refused to commit himself publicly to Watford – despite only joining them last summer.
The relationship between the former Hull City boss and owner Gino Pozzo reached an all-time low this week in the build-up to the Leicester clash on the back of his comments from two months ago.
Watford were fourth when the Everton saga began and had just produced a stunning victory over Arsenal.
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The good form continued despite speculation beginning to mount as they recorded two wins over Newcastle and West Ham.
But since the start of the December the Hornets have the worst points return in the top flight and have just five from their last ten games.
Watford hope to have a new man in place by the time they travel to Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round next weekend.