Lewington goes at Watford

Last Updated : 22-Mar-2005 by

That’s exactly what’s happened this morning though, Watford have relieved manager Ray Lewington of his duties and are now on the look out for a young, progressive manager keen to forge a strong reputation in English football. They hope to have this wonder man in place by the time they reach the Turf a week on Saturday.

Lewington arrived at Watford to join Gianluca Vialli’s coaching staff in the summer of 2001 and left his job as Brentford manager to take up the role. He played a minor role as Vialli and Wilkins took the club to the brink with massive and unsuccessful signings.

They turned to Lewington for the start of the 2002/03 season and for almost three years he has battled against the financial crisis that is Watford Football Club. They sold the ground and are now desperately trying to raise the funds to buy it back.

Apart from reaching two club semi-finals, one of them we know about to our cost, he also had Watford riding high at the beginning of this season but it was a position they were never expected to retain.

The slum came and it was too much for the Watford board who now fear a late scrap against relegation.

The said today, “Given that we are currently 15th in the Championship table and just four points above the relegation zone, the Board of Directors are united in feeling that now is an appropriate time to act and make a change.

“We have recently seen a slump in form at a key point in our season, with just one point being gained from our last four home matches in the Championship. In fact the team has recorded just 4 victories in 24 league matches since the beginning of November 2004.”

I’d not considered Watford as potential relegation candidates, I might just add them to the list now. This one takes some believing.

Nigel Gibbs and Terry Bullivant will take charge until this young, progressive manager is found. Doesn't look as though they are going to be looking though, they expect you to apply.