Ed Still contract truth emerges at Watford FC after Gino Pozzo sack loophole | OneFootball

It has emerged that Watford owner Gino Pozzo adopted an interesting loophole in the contract of recently-axed boss Edward Still

Watford FC are, once again, commencing an all-too-familiar managerial search after recently parting ways with Edward Still in the wake of a bitterly-disappointing end to the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

The Hornets' relentless hiring-and-firing policy is without rival, as divisive owner Gino Pozzo continues to flitter through managers at an alarming rate - much to the increasing displeasure of the Vicarage Road faithful.

Still, brother of ex-Southampton boss Will, was appointed as Watford's third manager of the campaign in February following prior departures for both Paulo Pezzolano and Javi Gracia, but the Belgian's brief stint in Hertfordshire proved an ill-fated one as he took just three victories from his 15 matches in charge before being dismissed as the Hornets slumped to an underwhelming 16th-placed finish.

It now means that Pozzo is pursuing a ninth permanent managerial appointment in just over four years, with Watford's turnover of bosses becoming increasingly rapid since suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2022.

As ever, it will be intriguing to see where the Italian next sets his sights amid recent links to former Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut, which represents an appointment that could promise to divide an ever-dissatisfied fanbase even more, but as the search continues to play over, an interesting loophole in Still's contract has now emerged.

Gino Pozzo's Edward Still, Watford FC contract loophole emerges

Supporters have, quite reasonably, grown disgruntled at Watford's managerial turnover for a variety of reasons and the financial implications are also routinely cited, with Pozzo subsequently expending significant payout sums to sacked bosses.

That, however, will not be the case with Still following his departure after a 4-0 home defeat against title winners Coventry City on the final day of the season, which marked a fifth and final straight loss for the mid-table Championship side.

This is because, as revealed in a report from talkSPORT on Tuesday afternoon, Still put pen to paper on what is described as a "three-month rolling contract", despite signing an official two-and-a-half-year deal to join the Hornets three months prior.

It's an interesting loophole which we haven't seen from Pozzo before, and it means that Watford will now be able to avoid shelling out a large payout figure to the recently-departed 35-year-old.

Whether this is something that Pozzo will elect to do again in the future remains to be seen as it makes a great deal of financial sense for a club which strips through managerial appointments like no other, although one would have to speculate how many bosses would really be enticed into moving to Vicarage Road with such terms on the table.

It also makes you wonder how keen Pozzo really was on Still in the first place, which, once again, leaves Watford fans with more questions than answers following yet another chaotic campaign.

Gino Pozzo must change Watford FC managerial policy

Hornets supporters have expressed concern about how many serious managers capable of elevating the club and arresting the slump would really be open to joining the side, with time very much of the essence from the get-go under Pozzo. Quite simply, it's hard to view it as an attractive job these days.

The divisive Italian owner has, it must be said, explored a range of recruitment avenues when hiring different coaching profiles, but the common denominator is a lack of time to implement methods and, more broadly, sweeping changes in make-up and style from one appointment to the next.

There's no continuity or visible overarching philosophy in place, and the next manager will know that only a certain amount of time is ahead to get it right as opposed to being licensed with trust and latitude to gradually develop the team.

The most frustrating element for many supporters is that plenty of potential exists within the current Hornets squad. Talismanic midfielder Imran Louza, who was among the finest operators in the 2025/26 Championship season, may be likely to leave in the coming months, although the likes of 20-year-old wide duo Nestroy Irankunda and Othmane Mamma represent precocious talents in their own right and are capable of orchestrating leading impacts at second-tier level before netting handsome fees further down the line.

Whether that undoubted potential can really be capitalised on, though, with such a brash and trigger-happy approach to hiring and firing managers, remains unclear, and it's starting to become clear that Watford could be in for a serious slide if Pozzo elects against changing tact.