NEW MAN AT VICARAGE ROAD WALTFORD
Italy fancied Mazzarri... and so did Turkish giants RAMS EYE MARTINEZ PULIS DUMMETT RUN
WALTER MAZZARRI is Watford’s new head coach after he rejected approaches from Italy as well as Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
The 54-year-old Italian replaces Quique Sanchez Flores at Vicarage Road to become the Hornets’ eighth boss in the last four years.
Mazzarri previously managed Sampdoria, Napoli and Inter Milan – and last night his agent Andrea D’Amico revealed that Watford owner Gino Pozzo has been courting him for some time.
D’Amico said: “He chose the quality of the project and his faith in the Pozzo family ahead of other offers. Walter will certainly do very well.”
Target
Sources in Italy believe the Italian FA had hoped Mazzarri would replace national manager Antonio Conte, who will not take up his Chelsea duties until after Euro 2016.
Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury commented: “Walter has been the target of a number of approaches for his services, so we’re delighted to secure him as head coach here at Watford.
“We’re thoroughly looking forward to working with such a highly- regarded coach, with t he progress and development of the club always remaining the highest priority.”
Flores (right) led Watford to a 13th-place finish in the club’s first season back in the Premier League and also took them to the FA Cup semi-finals. But Pozzo was said to be concerned by DERBY have a four-man short-list for the vacant manager’s job – and Roberto Martinez’s name is on it.
The Rams will give interim boss Darren Wassall the chance at interview, but sacked Everton chief Martinez (right) is in the frame.
Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is another candidate, his chances of assuming control at HE PLAYED FOR... Pescara, Cagliari, Reggiana, Fiorentina, Empoli, Licata, Modena, Nola, Viareggio, Acireale and Torres. HE MANAGED... Watford’s slump in the second half of the campaign. Mazzarri has been out of work since leaving Inter in 2014 but reached the Coppa Italia final with both Sampdoria and Napoli. The Pozzo f amily initially wanted Mazzarri to take over at Udinese, but that move never materialised. Mazzarri, who like his Chelsea- bound compatriot Conte has been taking English lessons, will start on July 1, linking up with two former players in Valon Behrami and Miguel Britos. Behrami’s relationship with Mazzarri at Napoli was strong and after the deal was confirmed he immediately tweeted that “it was nice to wake up to good news”. Aston Villa diminished following the takeover by a Chinese consortium this week – as revealed a fortnight ago by Sunday People Sport.
Birmingham gaffer Gary Rowett, who lives in Derby, makes up the quartet who will come under the scrutiny of owner Mel Morris, chief executive Sam Rush and advisor Harry Redknapp. WEST Brom are eager to offer Paul Dummett a route back into the Premier League. Newcastle’s Wales defender (left) is fancied by Baggies boss Tony Pulis, who has a vacancy for a specialist left-back. Jonny Evans has been filling in after Chris Brunt suffered a knee injury, while Sebastien Pocognoli has barely featured since Pulis took charge of the Black Country club.
Dummett will be taking a drop in wages due to Newcastle’s relegation. And despite interim boss Rafa Benitez using the 24-year-old during the run-in, he is not vastly experienced.
The defender will go with Chris Coleman’s squad to France next month by which time the cost-cutting will have become clearer at St James’ Park.