KEY
POINTS
- Watford sit 20th in the Championship after 11 matches
- Dionisi under pressure despite Charlton win
- Cooper and Corberán joint favourites at 6/1 with BetVictor
NEXT WATFORD MANAGER ODDS
Watford are no strangers to changing managers, and Alessio Dionisi is already finding himself under pressure at Vicarage Road. The Hornets have made a poor start to the Championship season, winning just three of their opening 11 matches. They also suffered four consecutive defeats, including a 4-0 home loss against Burnley and a 5-1 loss away at Cardiff City.
A 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic last weekend has given Dionisi something to build on, but Watford still find themselves 20th in the table with just 11 points. It's hardly the start supporters would have expected, and given Watford's history of changing managers, it wouldn't be a surprise if the club considered going in another direction.
There are plenty of familiar names in the betting, including former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and ex-West Brom boss Carlos Corberán. Both are priced at 6/1 with BetVictor, while Dave Challinor was next in the market at 8/1.
COOPER FAVOURITE FOR WATFORD JOB
Steve Cooper is one of the joint favourites, and you can understand why. The Welshman has a good record in the Championship and has already shown he can turn around a struggling side. He took charge of Nottingham Forest in September 2021 when they were towards the bottom of the table. By the end of that season, Forest were celebrating promotion to the Premier League after beating Huddersfield Town in the play-off final.
Before that, Cooper had spent two seasons at Swansea City, guiding them into the play-offs on both occasions. Things haven't gone quite as well for him since leaving Forest, with spells at Leicester City and Brøndby, but his Championship record is excellent. Watford need someone who can get results quickly, and Cooper has done exactly that before. At 6/1, I think he would be a good appointment.
CORBERÁN ANOTHER STRONG CONTENDER
Carlos Corberán is also available at 6/1, although Watford could face competition for his signature. Corberán came close to taking Huddersfield Town into the Premier League in 2022, only to lose 1-0 against Nottingham Forest in the play-off final.
He then took over at West Brom and managed to turn things around after a difficult start. The Baggies were struggling when he arrived, but he soon had them competing towards the top end of the Championship. Corberán left West Brom for Valencia in December 2024, although his time in Spain came to an end last month.
One thing Watford need to improve is their defensive record. They have already conceded 19 goals in 11 league matches, which is way too many for a side hoping to challenge towards the top half.
CHALLINOR READY FOR CHAMPIONSHIP CHANCE?
Dave Challinor would be a slightly different appointment, but his record deserves attention. The former Stockport County manager is priced at 8/1 with BetVictor and has enjoyed plenty of success in the lower leagues. Challinor took over at Stockport in 2021 and guided them back into the Football League in his first season. County also celebrated another promotion after winning the League Two title.
He also took Stockport to the League One play-off final last season, although they were beaten by Bolton Wanderers at Wembley. Challinor left Stockport in June 2026 after almost five years in charge, having won 144 of his 268 matches at the club.
I think he deserves an opportunity to manage in the Championship. Of course, Watford would be taking a chance on someone who hasn't managed at this level before, but his record with Stockport is difficult to ignore.
COULD EDWARDS RETURN TO VICARAGE ROAD?
Rob Edwards is another manager who features in the betting, although I would be surprised to see him return to Watford. Edwards was appointed by the Hornets in the summer of 2022 but was dismissed after just 11 league matches. He didn't have much time to prove himself, and his next job showed what Watford might have missed out on.
In May 2023, Edwards was celebrating promotion to the Premier League with Luton Town. He guided the Hatters to third place in the Championship before they managed to overcome Coventry City on penalties in the play-off final.
That achievement certainly proved he was capable of managing at this level, but would Edwards really want to return to a club that gave him so little time?
He's priced at 12/1 with BetVictor, but I think a reunion would be unlikely.
OTHER CONTENDERS FOR THE WATFORD JOB
There are several other names in the betting who could come into consideration if Watford decide to make a change. Jon Dahl Tomasson and Philippe Montanier are both available at 12/1 with BetVictor. Tomasson previously managed Blackburn Rovers, while Montanier had a spell at Nottingham Forest.
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær is priced at 14/1, alongside Ralph Hasenhüttl, who spent nearly four years in charge of Southampton. Sean Dyche is another interesting name at 16/1. He knows the Championship well, having guided Burnley to promotion on two occasions. Former Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut is also available at 16/1.
At the moment, Dionisi remains in charge, and the 2-0 win against Charlton could prove important. However, if Watford continue to struggle towards the bottom of the Championship, I wouldn't be surprised to see the club consider another managerial change.
NEXT WATFORD MANAGER BETTING ODDS
Below are the betting odds for the next permanent manager of Watford, with prices provided by BetVictor and listed on Oddschecker.
- Philippe Montanier - 12/1
- Ole Gunnar Solskjær - 14/1
