Watford parted ways with manager Ed Still after just three months in charge, making him the third manager to be sacked from a Championship club within a year.
Ed Still has been at Watford for just three months (Image: Getty Images)
Watford showed Ed Still the door just three months after taking over at Vicarage Road. The Championship club is known for being challenging when it comes to managers and is currently aiming for their fifth title in just one year.
After finishing 16th, the Hornets issued a brief 32-word statement confirming his departure, which read: “Watford FC has bid farewell to head coach Ed Still this morning.
“First team coach Karim Verhosine has also left the club. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
Still, the younger brother of Will Still, who managed Southampton from May to November 2025, signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the club in February. But he now finds himself looking for his next role, just three months away.
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Coach Still oversaw 15 games against the Hornets under his harsh leadership, with just three wins, four draws, and eight losses. He becomes the club’s third manager to be sacked within a year, following the departure of Tom Cleverley in May last year and Paulo Pezzolano in October.
Javi Gracia was also in charge from October to February before Still’s arrival, but ultimately chose to leave the club on his own accord earlier this year. The news comes as Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury issued a scathing statement about the club’s affairs ahead of Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Coventry on the final day of the season.
“Summer is usually a time for reflection and giving a more complete idea. However, with the final games of this campaign remaining, we must accept that there were things we did wrong and there are things we must improve on before the end of the season.”
“It starts with our recruitment. We signed 14 players last summer and a further four in January, underscoring our commitment to challenge for promotion. We believed within those signings we had the talent to aim for a top-six position.”
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“They were an exciting signing in line with our recruitment model and as we were three points off second place at the turn of the year, we seemed justified in our belief. Losing players like Rocco Vata, Hector Kyprianou, Osman Maamma, Kwadwo Bah and Steven Mkhuni for long periods of time had a huge impact on our performance.”
“Due to a serious injury, I didn’t have a chance to really test how competitive I was. This is not an excuse, it’s reality.”
“However, I accept that those absences exposed a lack of leadership in the dressing room. We definitely lacked senior players who understand championships and have the mentality to guide our young talent.”
“That is why I have been insisting that our recruitment department address this issue this summer. Our strategy will include releasing players who have made it clear in various ways that they do not have a future at Watford.”
“For the most part, they will be replaced by experienced leaders who understand the demands of this league. Building a team with both talent and the right mentality must be our top priority.”
Watford were beaten 4-0 at home to Coventry on the final day of the season, marking Still’s last game as manager (Image: Getty Images)
“The need for a consistent and positive culture within the group, one that represents the effort that our supporters demand and deserve, will be a driving force this summer. We are not hiding from the unacceptable level of recent performances, but it is clear that this was a real disappointment in the extreme.”
“But we have a solid foundation going into the summer. We have some very exciting young attacking players with speed. If they develop and are supported by more experienced players, they can make a big difference in this league.”
“Regardless of how the season ends, enjoy your summer and the World Cup. And I promise you, we will do everything we can to be better on and off the pitch in August. We wish you and your family the best of luck.”
According to Sky Sports, Still, who is the younger brother of fellow manager Will, has been given three months’ paid notice, which will be terminated if he takes another job during that time. Prior to his appointment at Watford earlier this year, he was manager of Charleroi, Eupen and Kortrijk in Belgium, and was interim manager at Anderlecht.
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