"We're now starting to see" - Claim made on future of Gino Pozzo at Watford FC | OneFootball

FLW's Watford fan pundit has been speaking on whether or not Pozzo is in it for the long haul as Hornets owner.

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...

Watford owner Gino Pozzo is one of the most infamous in English football.

The 60-year-old Italian businessman rules over Vicarage Road with an iron fist when it comes to the managers he appoints, with 21 managerial changes taking place since Pozzo and his father took over the club in June 2012.

Tom Cleverley is the latest gaffer to perform what can and has at times been interpreted as the 'poisoned chalice' that is the Watford job, but he does appear to have the backing of Pozzo for now at least, given the Hornets owner claimed he has the full support of the board in late January.

"It's fairly well acknowledged" - Gino Pozzo claim made regarding Watford future

We asked our Watford fan pundit, Justin Beattie: 'Do you think Pozzo is in it for the long haul at Watford, or not?'

Beattie said: "I think it's fairly well acknowledged and recognised that Gino Pozzo is actively seeking new investment, or a new owner to take over Watford Football Club.

"The amount invested in the squad over the past few seasons has dropped off significantly. We do need someone to come along with new ideas, and a new injection of finance to boost the squad.

"So, I don't think he's in it for the long haul, no. I think he's done a good job in his tenure. We have seen the good things that he's brought to Watford.

"But, we're now starting to see what it looks like when an owner perhaps isn't quite as interested as he used to be."

Watford have stagnated somewhat under Gino Pozzo

There have been some brilliant highs under Pozzo's tenureship, but some frustrating lows too.

The club spent many of his early years in charge competing in the Premier League, with an 11th-placed finish combined with an FA Cup Final appearance (lost 6-0 to Manchester City) in the 2018/19 season being one of the best campaigns in the club's recent history.

However, since being relegated back to the Championship in 2022, Watford have registered finishes of 11th in the 2022/23 season, and 15th in the 2023/24 campaign.

With Cleverley's side on the verge of falling out of the play-off race entirely with just seven games to go, 2024/25 looks set to mark yet another frustrating and underwhelming season at Vicarage Road.

As such, the club does have an air of stagnation surrounding them, with seemingly no obvious evidence of being on an upward trajectory. Therefore, it may well be time for Pozzo to pass the baton on to somebody else.

For a club the size of Watford, supporters demand to see their team fighting near the top of the Championship, and if Pozzo can't come up with a strategy and plan to deliver that, then calls for a change in ownership will surely only grow louder from the Hornets fanbase.