Watford – next manager

Walter Mazzarri off on Sunday

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri caught football fans off-guard in midweek when announcing that he would step-down as manager of the club following Sunday’s final match of the season, against Manchester City.

The 55-year-old Italian hasn’t exactly set the heather alight during his time at Vicarage Road, but was able to keep them in the division, which would’ve been their main aim back in the summer. That goal was achieved with a bit to spare, and they go into the final game of the campaign six above Hull City and the drop.

Did he jump, or was he pushed?

So, has the gaffer had enough, throwing up his hands and admitting he can take the London club no further in the English top-fight next season? Or was he, instead, pushed out by a board who allowed the chance to resign, before he was sacked?

We’ll never know, but it is a strange situation at Vicarage Road, and they now go in search of yet another new manager, who will come in and have his own ideas, so will require another period of upheaval and uncertainty. So, who do those at the top have in mind?

Who’s on the shortlist?

Coral traders have wasted no time in sticking up their views on who will be in the hot-seat come the kick-off next season and, as well as the usual suspects, a few surprises have made the list. Leonid Slutsky goes as the most-likely candidate, according to the early prices, and he’s 2/1 at present.