Pearson regrets not being given chance to finish task
LONDON: Nigel Pearson has expressed his regret at not being able to finish the job he started at Watford after he was sacked by the relegation-threatened Premier League club.
The Hornets announced on Sunday that Pearson had left the club with immediate effect with two games of the season remaining and top-flight status not yet secured.
In a post on his official Twitter account yesterday, the 56-year-old said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the well wishes I’ve received from Watford supporters and the football community. Thank you all for your kind messages.
“Although not able to finish the task I was brought in to achieve, I wish Watford all the best for their final two games. Cheers, Nige.”
Pearson was appointed head coach in December last year — the club’s third permanent boss of the season after Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores — with Watford sitting bottom of the table and seven points from safety.
They are currently in 17th place, three points clear of the bottom three, but with Manchester City and Arsenal to play, face an anxious final week of the campaign.
Hayden Mullins has been asked to take up the reins, as he did briefly following Flores’ departure, as the search for a replacement gets under way.
KOVAC NEW MONACO COACH Monaco appointed Niko Kovac as their new coach on Sunday, the former Bayern Munich boss succeeding Robert Moreno, the Ligue 1 club announced.
The 48-year-old former Croatia international has signed a three-year contract with the option of a further year as the under-performing French side act to improve their fortunes.
Kovac was available after his sacking by Bayern in November, months after leading the Bundesliga giants to a league and cup double.
Kovac took charge of his first training session at Monaco yesterday, the club said.