Watford

Watford name ex-Leicester boss Nigel Pearson as new manager

| 06 December 2019

The 56-year-old former Derby and Leicester manager succeeds the sacked Quique Sanchez Flores on an initial deal until the end of the season.

Watford have appointed Nigel Pearson as their new head coach, initially until the end of the season.

Pearson will take the helm after the weekend, with interim head coach Hayden Mullins in charge for the Hornets’ match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Watford’s chairman and chief executive officer Scott Duxbury told the club’s official website: “Nigel is an impressive coach and comes with all of the experience and success we believe can have a very positive impact on our season.

We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Nigel Pearson as Head Coach on a contract that runs initially until the end of this season.

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) December 6, 2019

“It’s been a pleasure spending time listening to the passion with which he talks about the game.

“His enthusiasm, organisation and motivation will, I’m certain, prove essential in driving the team forwards and upwards over the coming weeks and months.”

Duxbury added: “I’d like to thank Hayden Mullins for stepping in to coach the team on an interim basis. He is fully deserving of everyone’s gratitude.

Quique Sanchez Flores was sacked as Watford boss last weekend (Mark Kerton/PA)

“Tomorrow gives the perfect opportunity for Nigel to be officially introduced to our supporters as Hayden leads the team in the quest for a very important three points.”

Watford are currently bottom of the Premier League with just eight points from 15 games, leaving them seven points from safety.

Pearson, who succeeds Quique Sanchez Flores at Vicarage Road, has experience of succeeding in a top-flight relegation battle, having kept Leicester up in 2015 before being replaced by Claudio Ranieri.

Nigel Pearson helped keep Leicester in the Premier League in 2015 (Richard Sellers/PA)

The 56-year-old’s most recent managerial post was with OH Leuven in Belgium but he has been out of work since February.

Pearson has also managed the likes of Derby, Southampton and Hull.

On Friday evening he tweeted: “I’m really delighted to be back working in the Premier League with @WatfordFC; a huge challenge for us all, but one that we can achieve if we all work together. Thank you all for the kind wishes.”