Watford sack manager ed still

On May 3, 2026, Watford FC announced they had parted ways with Ed Still, just three months after appointing him as head coach. This swift managerial change follows the resignation of Javi Gracia, who left the club in February 2026 amid mounting pressure.

The decision to sack Still came after a dismal run of form. Under his leadership, Watford finished 16th in the Championship, only ten points above the relegation zone. In his final stretch, the team lost six of their last seven matches, leading to an overall points-per-game tally of just 0.87 across 15 games.

Ed Still expressed a need for change during his brief tenure, stating, “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.” However, this vision did not translate into results.

Accompanying Still out of the club is Karim Belhocine, who also faced dismissal. Their exits mark a continuation of instability within Watford, which has seen Gino Pozzo hire 24 permanent head coaches since 2012. This latest managerial change raises questions about the club’s direction and future.

Still’s departure coincides with Watford’s worst-ever finish at second-tier level, a statistic that weighs heavily on both management and fans alike. The club’s struggles were epitomized by a humiliating defeat to Coventry City earlier in April.

As fans process this latest upheaval, many observers note that this decision had been brewing for weeks. “This has been inevitable for quite a few weeks, and the announcement comes as no surprise,” said one expert familiar with the situation.

The end of Still’s tenure leaves Watford searching for yet another head coach as they prepare for an uncertain summer ahead. With plenty of time to reset and reshape their approach for the next season, fans will be eager to see how management addresses these ongoing challenges.