Lampard, Allardyce and the early favourites to be named Watford’s next boss

An insight into the early frontrunners to take up the managerial reins at Premier League strugglers Watford has been provided on Monday evening.

The subject of the bench at Vicarage Road has of course been catapulted back into the headlines over the last couple of hours.

This comes after the Watford board came to the decision to part ways with their 2nd tactician of the campaign, calling time on Claudio Ranieri’s stint after just 14 games in charge:

Watford Football Club confirms the departure of Head Coach Claudio Ranieri.

The Hornets’ Board recognises Claudio as a man of great integrity and honour, who will always be respected here at Vicarage Road for his efforts in leading the team with dignity.

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 24, 2022

Attentions, in turn, have quickly turned towards just who could be chosen as the man to replace Ranieri (though it boggles the mind as to why anyone would actually want the job based on the recent managerial track record at the club).

And now, an insight into some of the early frontrunners has been provided.

As per OddsBible, the current favourite to take his place in the dugout at Vicarage Road is former Osasuna and Granada boss Diego Martinez.

Hot on the tail of the Spaniard, though, come Italian icon Fabio Cannavaro, and ex-Chelsea tactician Frank Lampard.

Also understood to be in the running are the likes of Sam Allardyce, Rafael Benitez and Gennaro Gattuso.

Is it time for Big Sam to try and save another club from Premier League relegation? 👀 pic.twitter.com/wYUaUQIYVG

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) January 24, 2022

Check out the football odds market at Bet365 here.

Championship bound?

Ranieri’s sacking of course came on the back of Watford this weekend slipping to a 7th defeat in eight in the Premier League.

In a crucial relegation six-pointer versus Norwich City, the Hornets were embarrassed, en route to an alarming 3-0 result at Vicarage Road.

The Hertfordshire outfit, in turn, slipped to a lowly 19th spot in the English top-flight, now trailing both Norwich and newly-minted Newcastle United as the battle against relegation to the Championship continues to heat up.

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