Ed Still was sacked just three months into his tenure as head coach of Watford FC, marking another swift managerial change at the club. Appointed in February 2026 following the resignation of Javi Gracia, Still faced an uphill battle in the Championship.
Under Still’s leadership, Watford finished 16th in the league, a mere 10 points above the relegation zone. His record was troubling—he lost six of his final seven games and managed only 0.87 points per game across 15 matches.
This season marked a low point for Watford, as it was their worst-ever finish at the second-tier level. Fans had hoped for stability after Gracia’s departure, but the team’s performance failed to improve under Still’s guidance.
In a statement released by the club, officials noted that “Watford FC have this morning parted company with Head Coach Ed Still.” The decision did not come as a shock to many; one local fan remarked, “This has been inevitable for quite a few weeks, and the announcement comes as no surprise.”
Alongside Still, assistant coach Karim Belhocine also left the club. Gino Pozzo, who has been known for his quick managerial changes—this being his 24th permanent head coach since 2012—will now be tasked with finding a replacement.
Still had expressed optimism about needing a reset: “A reset is needed. We need to reset the squad, the staff and make sure that the energy around the team and in the team is much stronger and ready to deal with a whole Championship season,” he said before his dismissal.
The next challenge for Watford will be finding a new head coach capable of leading them back to form. The upcoming summer break offers a chance to reshape and prepare for next season in hopes of avoiding another disappointing campaign.
