Nigel in Hornets hot seat
NIGEL PEARSON last night sealed a sensational Premier League return with Watford.
He was confirmed as the club’s new manager after they were knocked back by Athletic Bilbao boss Jose Angel Ziganda.
Pearson became only the third manager to save a team who were bottom at Christmas from relegation when he steered Leicester to safety in 2015.
But a sex tape scandal involving Foxes players, including his own son James, on an end-of-season tour to Thailand led to his exit.
Claudio Ranieri took over and led the club to the Premier League title the following season.
Pearson, 56, has been handed the reins initially until the end of the current campaign.
By Watford’s recent standards that seems a long-term contract – previous boss Quique Sanchez Flores lasted only 85 days in his second stint there.
It is understood that Chris Hughton, Paul Clement and ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt were also being considered until Pearson met club chiefs yesterday.
He will be owner Gino Pozzo’s first English appointment since he bought the club in 2012.
Former Hull and Derby boss Pearson has been out of work since he was sacked last February by second-tier Belgian outfit Leuven.
Watford chairman Scott Duxbury said: “Nigel is an impressive coach and comes with all of the experience and success we believe can have a very positive impact on our season.
‘‘His enthusiasm, organisation and motivation will, I’m certain, prove essential in driving the team forwards and upwards over the coming weeks and months.”
Hayden Mullins will be in charge of today’s home game against Crystal Palace, with Pearson introduced to fans.
RAHEEM STERLING says Manchester City have a point to prove at the Etihad today.
Despite having won back-to-back titles and with local rivals United trailing them in recent years, Sterling said Pep Guardiola’s players need to prove they are still the top dogs in Manchester.
“We’re always fighting against each other to be the number one team in the city,” said Sterling.
“That’s always a great thing to do. Both teams have great players and great managers. I think this weekend we’ll show nothing less.
“Playing against United is always difficult and we know it’ll be a tough game.”
City could find themselves 14 points behind runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool by the time they kick-off against United tonight.
Jurgen Klopp’s side start at Bournemouth.
Despite the huge gap, Sterling said City are not prepared to throw in the towel and must keep on winning, in case his former club slip-up.
“We just need to keep winning games and hope Liverpool lose some,” said Sterling. “It’s as simple as that.
“They’re playing some good football at the moment, but it’s a long season. We’ve got to keep winning, keep believing. Football is a funny game and in one moment it can change.
“You have to be ready. At the moment, they’re leading and we just have to keep working and keep winning.”
Sterling, 24, who has taken his game to new heights in recent seasons, said a change in attitude was the reason behind his transformation.
“It’s all about mentality,” said Sterling. “Mentality, maturity and growing up. I think now I’m living for football.
“I’m obsessed with football, obsessed with scoring goals, obsessed with recovering quicker, and obsessed with improving myself.
“I wasn’t 100 per cent living the way I should be living to be a professional footballer that would give me an edge on a match day. I realised that and changed it.” have an earlier
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes City are too cocky going into the game so his side can land a sucker punch.
Spurs midfielder Dele Alli admitted Jose Mourinho’s side suffered from arrogance and overconfidence in their 2-1 defeat at United in midweek.
And Solskjaer hopes City the same mindset.
“I don’t want to put any feelings into any other teams or managers,” he said.
“We might not want them to be scared of us, we might want them to be arrogant and confident.
“For me, as a player as well, you don’t have to shout the loudest to throw the sucker punch. It’s not about shouting the loudest, it’s about doing the talking on the pitch.
“City had an unbelievable season last year and are now trailing the teams in front of them as well.
“They haven’t had the results of last season but they’re still the best team in the league when they’re playing the way they can.” fall victim to