'Frankly pathetic' claim emerges as big Watford FC appointment looms - 'I don't understand the thinking' | OneFootball

Edward Still looks set to become the next permanent head coach at Watford following the departure of Javi Gracia

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Following the departure of Javi Gracia, Watford are on the hunt for yet another new person to take the reins in the Vicarage Road dugout, and have seemingly sounded out 35-year-old Edward Still as the person to do that.

After a run of no wins in five games, for the second time in his career, Javi Gracia has left Watford, leaving the Hornets in search of a replacement for the Spaniard.

The Hertfordshire-based outfit are looking for their 23rd different permanent manager/head coach since the Pozzo family bought the club in June 2012, and has identified Anderlecht caretaker manager Edward Still as the person to take on the mantle left by Gracia.

Edward Still, like his brother, former Southampton boss Will Still, started his career as a Video Analyst, and would become an assistant manager at the likes of Club Brugge, Royal Antwerp, and Shanghai Port before taking the top job at Jupiler Pro League side Charleroi in 2021.

He'd average 1.4 points per game across 55 matches before stints with both KAS Eupen and KV Kortrijk preceded joining his brother as an assistant at French club Lens.

Now, Still is the current caretaker boss at Belgian giants Anderlecht, having previously worked as an assistant, and now looks set to follow in his brother's footsteps by making the move to his native England to the Championship.

Edward Still has a poor record in Belgium as he closes in on the permanent job at Watford

Football League World's Watford fan pundit, Justin, has shared their thoughts on the imminent appointment of Still, and whether they believe he is the right person to replace Gracia in the Vicarage Road dugout.

Justin said, "Where do I start with this? Here we go. If Watford are to employ Edward Still as the next permanent head coach at the club, then it suggests their goal at the beginning of the season to push for promotion has now been ended, and they intend to settle for mid-table obscurity."Edward Still has absolutely no Championship experience whatsoever, and his win rate at a couple of the clubs that he's managed previously in Belgium is frankly pathetic. I don't really understand the thinking behind this."I suspect it comes from now there being so few options in terms of finding a head coach willing to work at Watford under the Pozzo regime, that they are picking names like Edward Still to come in."I hope that I am proven wrong. I hope that Edward Still comes in and gives this team the massive boost of confidence, belief, and goal-scoring ability that it requires. But on paper, that doesn't seem particularly likely."

Edward Still will be hoping to have better fortunes in the Championship than his brother, Will Still

Indeed, the Still name is no stranger to the Championship and, in particular, Southampton fans, with Will Still having spent 16 games in charge at St Mary's earlier this season, with just four wins in that time before his dismissal.

Edward will be looking to show his brother how it is done in the English second tier, and with Watford still more than capable of breaking into the top six this campaign, that will almost certainly be the objective.

Watford have shown more than enough signs that they can achieve a play-off position this season, and should Still fail to reach that objective, at the rate the Hornets go through managers, his fate will likely be decided for him.

It's certainly a bold and risky option for Watford, who will be hoping that their risk at hiring Still pays off, and they can find themselves in the Premier League sooner rather than later.