Sam Allardyce has held 12 management positions during his career
Sam Allardyce is in the market to become next Watford boss

Quique Sanchez Flores sacked: Who will be the next manager of Watford?


Watford are the on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Quique Sanchez Flores on Sunday.

Flores was dismissed after just 85 days into his second spell at the club. His final match ended up being a 2-1 defeat to Southampton.

Watford chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury said in a statement: "Quique is a man of great integrity and it was clear how much he wanted to have a positive impact, but ultimately results have dictated our decision.

"The appointment of a new head coach is imminent and, with nearly two-thirds of the season remaining, we will provide all the support necessary to make the coming months successful."

Here, using odds from Sky Bet, we look at the contenders to replace him.


Chris Hughton

Sky Bet odds: 1/2

Chris Hughton: Relief for the Brighton boss
Chris Hughton has been out of work since leaving Brighton

Chris Hughton continues to be linked with managerial vacancies when they become available and was reportedly offered the position at Sheffield Wednesday - although he turned it down and the Owls went with Garry Monk.

Hughton left Brighton in the summer after guiding the Seagulls to Premier League promotion and subsequent safety.

It had been reported that Hughton was holding out for a position in England's top-flight yet he continued to be linked with opportunities in the Sky Bet Championship.

He kept Brighton in the top-flight for two seasons and survival will now be Watford's primary objective this season.


Sam Allardyce

Sky Bet odds: 4/1

Sam Allardyce is currently looking for a job
Sam Allardyce is currently looking for a job

A potential option for Watford could be Sam Allardyce. He's viewed as a great short-term fix for clubs who are battling to keep their position in the top-flight.

The 65-year-old guided Everton to a top-half finish in the 2017/18 season despite flirting with relegation during the early part of the campaign, before the Toffees elected to hand Marco Silva the job in the summer.

Allardyce has some success on his CV after guiding Bolton to the top flight in 2001 and more recently West Ham in 2012 - both through the play-offs. He would go on to manage Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the Premier League alongside a short stint as England boss.

He is someone who has been heavily praised by former players for his preparation for matches and his use of sport science to try and get the best out of his squad - but Jose Mourinho did label his football "from the 19th century" when his Chelsea side faced the Hammers in January 2014.


David Moyes

Sky Bet odds: 20/1

David Moyes: Set to return to Everton?
David Moyes: Set for a return to management?

Moyes has been backed for a return to management and finds himself as one of the outsiders to get the position at Watford.

He is also a fancied option for both Everton and West Ham - with reports stating that the Toffees hierarchy would welcome a return to Goodison Park.

The Scot established himself as one of the Premier League's top managers during his 11-year spell at Everton and his stock remains high despite unsuccessful spells at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.

He has been out of work since steering West Ham to Premier League safety in the 2017/18 season.


Davide Nicola

Sky Bet odds: 20/1

Davide Nicola during his spell at Udinese
Davide Nicola during his spell at Udinese

A possibility given the connection between Udinese and Watford, Davide Nicola is also considered an option in the market.

His last position was with the Italian club although only oversaw 15 matches, of which four ended in victory.

Nicola has also had spells with Lumezzane, Livorno, Bari and Crotone in Italy and boasted decent win ratios at all-but-Crotone.

Watford have a track record for appointing managers from across Europe so it's not a huge surprise to see Nicola linked.


Odds correct at 1345 GMT (01/12/19)

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