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Watford appoint Slavisa Jokanovic as their fourth manager of the season Watford appoint Slavisa Jokanovic as their fourth manager of the season
(about 1 hour later)
The former Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic has become Watford’s fourth manager of the season, bringing Billy McKinlay’s reign to an end after only eight days.The former Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic has become Watford’s fourth manager of the season, bringing Billy McKinlay’s reign to an end after only eight days.
McKinlay replaced Óscar García at the end of September after the former Brighton manager, who had replaced Giuseppe Sannino following his resignation, had suffered a health scare.McKinlay replaced Óscar García at the end of September after the former Brighton manager, who had replaced Giuseppe Sannino following his resignation, had suffered a health scare.
However, the Hornets owner, Gino Pozzo, has now dispensed with McKinlay after just two games at the helm because he feels he needs an experienced manager with a proven track record.However, the Hornets owner, Gino Pozzo, has now dispensed with McKinlay after just two games at the helm because he feels he needs an experienced manager with a proven track record.
Explaining the decision to hire the 46-year-old Serb, Pozzo said in a statement: “Our job is always to act in the best long-term interests of this football club. There can be no compromise on this – whatever the circumstances.Explaining the decision to hire the 46-year-old Serb, Pozzo said in a statement: “Our job is always to act in the best long-term interests of this football club. There can be no compromise on this – whatever the circumstances.
“I fully support and endorse the view from our technical staff that, given the talented squad which has been assembled and our position in the league, an experienced head coach with a winning pedigree is of primary importance to help ensure the success we are all striving for.“I fully support and endorse the view from our technical staff that, given the talented squad which has been assembled and our position in the league, an experienced head coach with a winning pedigree is of primary importance to help ensure the success we are all striving for.
“The supporters of Watford have always been very understanding towards our project here and I am certain they will continue to do everything they can to support the new coach and his squad.”“The supporters of Watford have always been very understanding towards our project here and I am certain they will continue to do everything they can to support the new coach and his squad.”
Jokanovic spent two years at Stamford Bridge between 2000 and 2002 and played against McKinlay, who was then with Bradford, in his first season with the Blues. Jokanovic spent two years at Stamford Bridge between 2000 and 2002 and played against McKinlay, who was then with Bradford, in his first season with the Blues. He also made more than 60 appearances for Yugoslavia as a player before moving into management at Partizan Belgrade, with whom he won the Serbian league and cup in each of his two seasons.
He also made more than 60 appearances for Yugoslavia as a player before moving into management at Partizan Belgrade, with whom he won the Serbian league and cup in each of his two seasons. Jokanovic then won a title in Thailand with Muangthong United before short spells in charge of Levski Sofia in Bulgaria and Hercules in Spain. He takes over a Watford side which is third in the Championship despite the unstable nature of their managerial position.
Jokanovic then won a title in Thailand with Muangthong United before short spells in charge of Levski Sofia in Bulgaria and Hercules in Spain. McKinlay had been given García’s approval when hired at the back end of September and he led the Hornets to a 2-1 win over Brentford and a 1-1 draw with Brighton. Yet the Pozzo family have once again opted for a foreign appointment, ensuring the 45-year-old McKinlay a place in the history books as one of the shortest managerial stints ever.
He takes over a Watford side which is riding high in the Championship despite the unstable nature of their managerial position.
McKinlay had been given García’s approval when hired at the back end of September and he led the Hornets to a 2-1 win over Brentford and a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Yet the Pozzo family have once again opted for a foreign appointment, ensuring the 45-year-old McKinlay a place in the history books as one of the shortest managerial stints ever.
The former Blackburn, Dundee United and Leicester midfielder only left his role with the Northern Ireland set-up to focus on the Watford job one week ago.The former Blackburn, Dundee United and Leicester midfielder only left his role with the Northern Ireland set-up to focus on the Watford job one week ago.
He may not be out of work for too long, though, given Fulham are still searching for a new manager themselves. He may not be out of work for too long, though, given Fulham are still searching for a new manager themselves. McKinlay played for and coached Fulham and has been linked with a return to the club he took temporary charge of in 2012, when he led them to a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
McKinlay played for and coached Fulham and has been linked with a return to the club he took temporary charge of in 2012, when he led them to a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.