Next Watford Manager Odds: Diego Alonso Backed To Replace Tom Cleverley
Watford have never been shy to sack managers with Tom Cleverley the latest coach to bite the dust.
The former Manchester United midfielder was dismissed following a 14th-place finish in the Championship in 2024/25.
The Hornets ended the campaign poorly, taking just one point from the last 15 on offer.
Cleverley oversaw just one victory in his last nine games, as Watford fell out of play-off contention in the final stages.
Who will be next through the door at Vicarage Road?
Let’s take a look at the contenders for the role according to betting sites.
Alonso Favourite For Hornets Hotseat
Diego Alonso was not mentioned in the original next Watford manager odds, but he is now the Evens favourite to take over at Vicarage Road.
The Uruguayan is a journeyman in football management, having coached in Mexico, the MLS, Spain and Greece.
He was also in charge of the Uruguayan national team between 2021 and 2023.
He was last in charge of Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League, but was sacked in October.
Despite this, the Watford board seem to be impressed with his style of play and could appoint him as their new manager this summer.
Next Watford Manager Odds
Manager | Odds | Probability |
Diego Alonso | Evens | 50% |
Jose Rojo Martin | 4/1 | 20% |
Alberto Garrido | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Will Still | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Marti Cifuentes | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Sergej Jakirovic | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Gary O’Neil | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Sean Dyche | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Nathan Jones | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Miron Muslic | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Ralph Hasenhuttl | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Jose Rojo Martin In The Running
Jose Rojo Martin, known as Pacheta, is another manager who has done the rounds.
The Spaniard has managed clubs such as Huesca, Valladolid and Villarreal in his homeland but has never enjoyed much success.
His style of play would go down well with fans, but is he the name they would like to see in the dugout?
He is one of several foreign managers in the running for the Watford job and can be backed at 4/1 to get it.
Could Still Be Tempted To The Championship?
Will Still has been making a name for himself in European football.
The Englishman shone as boss of Reims in Ligue 1, before leaving by mutual consent in May last year.
Since then, he has taken the reins at Lens, guiding them to eighth place with two games to go.
Still's partner, Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, is a big Watford fan, which could be an added incentive for him to take the job.
He can be backed at 6/1 with bookmakers.
Garrido In Contention
A talented coach, Alberto Garrido joined Watford’s staff ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Spaniard was previously the assistant manager of Real Madrid’s B team, so he has experience of working with quality players.
It is easy to see why Garrido has backers to be Watford’s next manager, but his critics would argue that he is implicated in the recent drop-off under Cleverley.
Despite being almost 50 he has never managed a team himself, even so football betting sites make him 6/1 to replace Cleverley.
Jakirovic Would Be A Left-Field Choice
Sergej Jakirovic (12/1) is not a household name in English football, but the Pozzos have not really considered that during their ownership of Watford.
Jakirovic has coached in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Turkey, where he currently leads Kayserispor, and the 48-year-old would probably be attracted to the idea of managing in England.
He would not be an obvious choice for a Championship club, but some bettors will feel he could be worth a punt.
O’Neil Waiting For Next Opportunity
Gary O’Neil kept Bournemouth and Wolves above the dreaded dotted line in the Premier League, although he struggled to kick on at Molineux this term.
He has had success in the top flight as a manager, but the former midfielder will probably have to drop down to the Championship for his next job.
Watford could make O’Neil an offer, but they will have to demonstrate their ambition if they are going to persuade him to take over as Cleverley’s replacement, and he is currently 25/1 to be the next boss at Vicarage Road according to betting apps.
Dyche Could Return To His First Club
Sean Dyche’s first-ever managerial job was at Watford, and he also holds the dubious honour of being the first manager sacked by the Pozzo family at Vicarage Road.
We don't know how he feels about that now, but he must have been hurt at the time, having led Watford to a respectable 11th-place finish in 2011/12.
Dyche probably feels he deserves another shot at the Premier League, but he could be turned off by the short-term thinking that has seen Watford hire 11 managers since 2020.
The former Everton boss, who left Goodison Park in January, is 25/1 to be the 12th.
Other Names In The Frame
Marti Cifuentes (8/1) was put on gardening leave by QPR, and as well as being linked with other Championship jobs recently, Watford are also thought to be admirers of the Spaniard.
Nathan Jones, Miron Muslic and Ralph Hasenhuttl are considered to be outsiders for the job at 25/1.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
