Championship side sack manager and appoint ex-West Ham and West Brom boss

Watford have reportedly sacked manager Rob Edwards and will replace him with Slaven Bilic.

The Hornets are tenth in the Championship, which is the lowest out of the three sides relegated from the Premier League last season, with Edwards reportedly losing his job as a result.

The 39-year-old had only taken over from Roy Hodgson in the summer and left League Two champions Forest Green Rovers to take the post, in what was his first job at Championship level.

Edwards had a win ratio of 27.2% with three wins, five draws and three defeats in his five-month spell at Vicarage Road, and despite being in the top-half of the table, being six points off of the automatics has ultimately led to his sacking.

A statement from the club read: “Watford FC has relieved Rob Edwards of his duties as Head Coach.

“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.”

A report from The Telegraph says that the axe has come down on Edwards and they already know their replacement, as they look to a more experienced manager to turn their fortunes around.

It is said by the Telegraph the board fear they are losing ground at the top of the tabe and making the decision now allows them to re-organise before an enforced break for the World Cup.

After the imminent departure of Edwards, they are now looking for their fifth new manager in under 12 months. He becomes the third Championship manager to lose their job after Danny Schofield and Steve Morison were relieved of their duties at Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City. Rotherham United meanwhile are on the lookout for a manager after Paul Warne left the New York Stadium post after six years to take the reins at League One outfit Derby County.

It is expected that former West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic will take over, as the Watford board believe he is the right man to lead the club back to the English top flight.

Bilic has been out of work since leaving Chinese side Beijing Guoan after a year in charge of what was meant to be a two-year contract. Bilic led the Baggies to promotion back in 2020 having also managed the Hammers in the Premier League three years prior.

He flew to London from his home in Croatia to agree terms and will take charge of their match against Stoke City next Sunday.

Bristol City are due to play Watford at Ashton Gate in what is their final fixture before the World Cup on Saturday, November 12.