Watford are now, surprisingly, on their sixth manager since the last time they kept a clean sheet in the Premier League.
Perhaps equally disconcerting, that clean sheet, captured under Nigel Pearson, came against Liverpool for their first defeat of a 99-point winning season.
The clean sheet in a 3-0 win over the Reds at Vicarage Road in 2020 was so rare it even came on a date that only exists every four years, February 29.
Their opponents won a historic title, a first in 30 years for the Merseyside club and the first in top-flight history, captured with seven games to spare.
Liverpool had gone 44 league games unbeaten before that night, including 39 wins, and Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ record looked in serious jeopardy before Pearson intervened 27 games into the season.
Some regard Pearson as the man who laid the foundations for Leicester’s shocking title victory in 2016, and he was well on his way to winning more applause, toppling a Hornets side that seemed destined for downfall.
Surprisingly though, Pearson was sacked with two games left after what he called a “frank exchange of views” with club owner Gino Pozzo.
Hayden Mullins stepped in for his second interim term but took the side and was replaced by Vladimir Ivic in August 2020 who only lasted four months at the helm.
Xisco Munoz became Pozzo’s fifth signing in just over a year and finally looked like the solution, guiding Watford to the top flight in impressive fashion.
However, the beloved Spaniard was only allowed seven games in the Premier League, with his replacement Claudio Ranieri receiving just six more before becoming the latest casualty.
With Roy Hodgson recently appointed at the helm, the Pozzo family are now on their 15th different manager since taking over the club in 2012, and are nowhere near finding the secret to success.
Only two managers, Gianfranco Zola and FA Cup runner-up Javi Gracia, have lasted more than a year under the club’s current owners, with Watford’s 15 managerial changes the most of any team in the English top two tiers over the past decade.
Watford managed five consecutive seasons in the Premier League between 2015 and 2020, whether or not it was because of their impatience with managers we will never know.
Hodgson has now come out of retirement to join the riding hall, but by signing until the end of the season he risks missing out on a big advantage.
The 74-year-old won’t receive the same illustrious payoff as his 14 predecessors – assuming he sees the end of the season – although guesswork is a waste of time, as anything is possible at Vicarage Road.
Betting offer of the day
888SPORT – Bet £10 Get £30 + £10 Casino Bonus
CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Minimum deposit of £10 • A qualifying bet is a “real money” wager of at least £10 • Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) • Free bets are credited upon settlement of the qualifying bet and expire after 7 days • Free bet stakes are not included in returns • Casino bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/associated winnings, wager x40 bonus amount within 14 days • Casino bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions and full terms and conditions apply 18+ begambleaware.org