WILL THEY STICK WITH THEIR BOSS FOR MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES?

One of the hallmarks of the Pozzo family’s Watford era since their 2012 takeover has been a clinical decisiveness when it comes to changing head coaches. This trigger- happy policy continues to garner criticism from those unfamiliar with the inner workings at Vicarage Road, although a more forensic look reveals the seemingly hard- nosed approach is actually very successful.

The hiring of incumbent Xisco Munoz in December 2020 provides the perfect case study. Predecessor Vladimir Ivic was removed with the Hornets fifth but in touch at the top of the Championship, his reign still in its infancy. However, the mood at the club was as sombre as the football on display, and the Serbian bit the inevitable bullet after just four months.

The impact this decision had was evident straight away. In his first game, former Valencia winger Xisco inspired a 1- 0 win over eventual champions Norwich. Hitherto forlorn- looking players hit their straps, and there were soon as many smiles as there were impressive performances and victories. The change engendered a complete turnaround in atmosphere, the owners’ decision fully vindicated.

Of course, this means that the same fate could also befall Munoz. The Premier League is famously unforgiving, and with the memories of how hard it is to recover from a difficult top- flight start still painfully fresh – the Hornets won one of their first 17 games in 2019- 20’ s relegation campaign – Watford fans will hope the likeable Spaniard can help his side adjust to life back in the big time quickly.

That said, the 40- year- old gaffer brings with him an enormous amount of goodwill. The change in aura at the training ground when he arrived was palpable, and the players – many of whom are hugely talented but were quiet or inconsistent under Ivic – shone under Xisco’s attacking sensibilities. Team spirit was a significant part of Watford’s post- Christmas surge to automatic promotion, and the esteem in which the squad clearly holds their manager may provide him with more slack than previous bosses.

Xisco is no less popular with the supporters, either, so there is an unmistakable groundswell of backing and a genuine hope that the man very few fans had heard of prior to his appointment can keep Elton’s Hornets standing come the season’s end. One thing remains certain, however – the owners will not fail to react quickly if things don’t go to plan.