Obviously not BUT our best ever record under ANY manager. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Watford_F.C._managers A 60 % win record.... when needed to take us through a difficult season. How will you remember him? For me he came into a team that needed pulling together achieved it and was actually very good tactically and in team selection and the way he would change formation and tactics mid-match was gifted. I grew to respect and when he showed his feelings in the last games really like the man. Thank you SJ please log in to view this image I wish him well
I agree. When he came in there was a real danger that the season was going to be another huge let down. He galvanised the squad and had them playing to a level we all believed they were capable of. It was a superb achievement and I really grew to like the guy. Good luck to him for the future.
Well - he has the best win percentage - and that was over most of the season and one which was never going to be easy -plus he joins a select band to have won us promotion to the Premiership - or any promotion for that matter. Also his reputation cannot now be tarnished like that of Aidy - think of how we would still regard him had he left after promotion. I would like to see go to another Championship club - or even a Premiership one - and let him have another go Thans SJ - one of our great managers
I liked him a lot. Great tactitian - great man manager - great motivator. I just don't understand why he didn't grab this opportunity with both hands. He won't be getting better elsewhere. The only time he has shown poor tactics and bad decision making. Good luck to him wherever he ends up.
I really rated the guy, and thought he did very well in his short time here. He galvanised the squad, was brave with his tactics and generally rotated well... and got us promoted!! Not too sure we will ever know the real truth about his wage demands and our offer... but it's a shame, if the rumours are true, that he was wanting that much I think he would be weolcomed back any time though!
After all the manager "troubles" we had, he came in, stablised the squad and got them playing as individuals and as a team. He will always be remembered for what he achieved this season and it's a real shame he could not stay on for next season. I rarely use the word, but personally I would put him in the "legend" category.
We need to remember he was head coach and not a traditional manager .. It was the Pozzo's and their support team who built a very talented squad , which with a little more defensive strength , could have comfortably won last seasons Championship . It must be frustrating for good "managers" to have a lesser say in a squads formation . Disappointed he has gone . I liked his presentation / character , he comes across as a strong no nonsense man's man ( the sort who would make a good Labour leader ) . Suspect he will do well in the future , I would like to see him successful in the premiership . Would have been more confident about the coming season if he had stayed . However , the new chap is experienced and the recent signings all look positive . At this point in time I have complete faith in our owners . Onwards and upwards
Thanks SJ - a truly memorable season. Remains to be seen if you get the opportunity to manage in the Prem again. Now it's time for us move on...
Shame it ended like this as Slav clearly was a top manager with good tactics and knew what he wanted..
Potentially you are right - and had we agreed with his wages demand we would have to pay a lot when sacking the bloke!
Great bloke, and from what we've seen so far, an excellent head coach. There were so many positives during his tenure, but greed is an ugly trait. So sad that he maybe felt he could get a 'bigger' job because of the media, maybe that's what turned his head but if all that is being said is true, he perhaps believed the hype and didn't think things through. Or maybe he didn't feel confident enough in his own ability and wanted to ensure a bigger pay check by not taking any win bonuses. Or maybe we can be very grateful that Dean Austin stayed coz everything improved once he came in. For sure though, Slav was great for us, galvanised a team that was in utter disarray, got rid of the dross and by whatever means, he got us up. Job done. Thank you Slav. Also a great shame to see Martinez and Pereira go...but as i say, fab news that DA is staying, that's great continuity and good forward thinking from the Pozzos, who often prove that they are the best owners ever!
I was looking to see how long OG's contract was and thus his coaches. Couldn't find anything so I'm not sure if they've jumped or were pushed. Not really seen anything on the new guys either. I am rubbish at finding this stuff out though. Apparently QSF is very much in SJ's mould: strong character, unafraid to ring the changes tactically. As for SJ I don't think that greed comes into the equation from his pov although if, as I understand he's got a new agent, there could well be an over inflated sense of worth and thus a bigger commission for said agent. Shame but given a choice between Gino Pozzo or SJ then GP will win my vote.
Not greed - but perhaps poor negotiating. Depends whether he felt he could get the amount he is asking for elsewhere. Two thirds of promoted clubs are relegated - he maybe reasoned that if he were sacked by Christmas he wanted a security blanket wrapped around him. Don't think the Pozzos do security blankets
Could not agree more. Unfortunately I think he backed himself into a corner which is never a good thing to happen. Real shame but hopefully both parties will emerge strongly from this.
