6 managers that simply must be on Watford FC's radar | OneFootball

Watford will once again have a managerial decision to make come the end of this season.

The Hornets will be looking for a new manager, following the sacking of Valerien Ismael early last month.

Tom Cleverley is now in interim charge of the club for the remainder of the campaign. However, Watford still need to make a decision over who is going to take on that role at Vicarage Road beyond the summer.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look at six managers who should be on Watford's radar as potential permanent replacements for Valerien Ismael, right here.

Scott Parker

First up is Scott Parker, who has been out of work since leaving Club Brugge just over a year ago. The former Chelsea midfielder is not one whose style of play has not always been the most popular among supporters.

It has however, got results at this level in the past, with the 43-year-old previously guiding both Fulham and Bournemouth to promotion from the Championship. That pedigree is something that would match with the ambition at Watford, and means he may be a candidate worth considering for the role.

Heckingbottom is also currently out of work, following his departure from Sheffield United earlier in the campaign.

His promotion with the Blades last season suggests he is another who could make the sort of impact Watford would want from whoever takes over at Vicarage Road. With Championship rivals Sunderland also being touted as potential suitors for Heckingbottom, it could be something of a coup for the Hornets to secure his services first.

Steve Cooper

Cooper too, has been without a job since being sacked earlier in the campaign. However, the fact he remained a popular figure with supporters of Nottingham Forest until the end does indicate that he has the potential to be a smart appointment.

Indeed, the Welshman also knows about getting out of this league. He did so with Forest in 2022, and also went close with an unfancied Swansea City prior to that. As a result, he may know how to get the best out of this Watford team at this level in particular.

Michael Skubala

It is fair to say that Michael Skubala is doing a remarkable job in his first permanent managerial role. Leaving his position as Leeds' Under 23 coach to take charge at Lincoln City, he has taken the Imps from relegation battles to play-off contenders in a matter of months.

That sort of turnaround should not be going unnoticed, and given Watford may be hoping for a similar lift, the 41-year-old should be one who is worth considering for a role at Vicarage Road.

Shaun Maloney

Another League One manager, Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney was linked with the Watford job when Ismael was first sacked, and he is on they ought to continue to keep tabs on.

Despite being deducted eight points and being forced to cobble together a squad on a budget, Maloney has worked wonders with Wigan this season. The Latics have climbed well clear of the League One relegation zone, and would be challenging for the play-offs were it not for those deducted points. To do such a job in such circumstances, does suggest that Maloney may already be well set for the step up back up to the Championship with a club such as Watford.

Of course, the prospect of Cleverley himself being offered the job on a full-time basis should not be ruled out at this moment in time.

The 34-year-old has done a reasonably solid job since taking over on a temporary basis. If results remain that way, then the fact he already knows the squad and club, as well as being readily available, could potentially make him an appealing longer-term managerial option for Watford.