Watford Eye Slaviša Jokanovi? as Potential Nigel Pearson Replacement

Exclusive - Watford are looking for a new manager to replace Nigel Pearson, and one man on their wish list is former boss Slaviša Jokanović.


Despite leading Watford away from the foot of the Premier League table, Pearson was sacked with two games to go, making him the third manager to have been relieved of his duties at Vicarage Road this season.


Nigel Pearson was sacked with just a week of the season remaining

Quique Sánchez Flores was sacked early in the season after an abysmal start, and replacement Javi Gracia didn't manage long before being given the boot and replaced by Sánchez Flores, who was then sacked once again to be replaced by Pearson in January.


Now looking for yet another first-team manager, a source has confirmed to 90min that Watford are considering turning to Jokanović, who is currently managing Qatari side Al-Gharafa.


Jokanović has already had a spell at Vicarage Road in the 2014/15 season, in which he led Watford to promotion to the Premier League. He left the club that summer after failing to agree on a new contract.


Jokanovic led Watford to the Premier League in 2015

Despite the nature of his exit, Jokanović is understood to have a positive relationship with the club's owners, the Pozzo family, and he feels as though he has some unfinished business at Vicarage Road after never actually managing Watford in the top flight.


He did get a taste of Premier League life during the 2018/19 season with Fulham, but he only managed to last until November 2018 before being shown the exit door after a poor run of form.


Despite that disappointing record, the Pozzo family are still considering a move for Jokanović. Their search for a new manager has been ongoing for a few weeks, and the Serb's name keeps coming up in discussions.


Hayden Mullins has been put in temporary charge again

In the meantime, Hayden Mullins will be given control of the Watford first team for the remaining two games, with the former midfielder given the unenviable task of coming face to face with Manchester City and Arsenal to close out the season.


Once the campaign comes to an end, Watford will turn their attention to finding a new permanent boss. Several candidates have been suggested, but Jokanović is seen by many at the club as a viable options.



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Source : 90min