RENOWNED for making his sides hard to beat, Roy Hodgson has built a reputation as a survival expert — but the 74-year-old has his work cut out to save Watford from relegation.
Hodgson has agreed to a remarkable return to management on a mission to rescue a side that sits 19th in the table, managed only two wins in 14 matches under Claudio Ranieri and has so far failed to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
Friday’s abject 3-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Norwich proved the final straw for owner Gino Pozzo and also highlighted the size of the job Hodgson has on his hands.
Watford are onto their third manager of a season that started with Xisco Munoz in charge and, unless Hodgson can turn things around, could end with them back in the Championship.
In Hodgson, Watford hope they have the perfect man to steady the ship and guide them to safety.
Their first priority must be to plug a leaky defence that has shipped 40 goals in 20 matches in the League this season.
This story is from the January 25, 2022 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the January 25, 2022 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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