Watford sacks Marco Silva, blames Everton for manager's demise

Watford sensationally sacked Marco Silva on Sunday, and identified Everton's "unwarranted approach" for the manager in November as the trigger of his downfall.

The Hornets are adequately positioned in 10th following Saturday's 2-0 loss at Leicester City, but the tight bottom-half of the Premier League leaves them just five points above the relegation zone.

The club's statement included:

This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly. The club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for his services we would have continued to prosper under his leadership.

The catalyst for this decision is that unwarranted approach, something which the board believes has seen a significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised.

The news release adds that the board felt it was necessary to make a change for the club's "security and success," and pledged to make a "swift appointment." Watford is on a run of one league win in 11 games leading into a Jan. 31 trip to relegation-threatened Stoke City.

It was very different earlier in the campaign. Silva was brought to the club on a wave of optimism after almost inspiring a hapless Hull City to Premier League safety the previous season. By then, Silva had already won a legion of followers for his tactical versatility, and was quickly wringing the best out of Tom Cleverley and Abdoulaye Doucoure in a three-man midfield, and enjoyed an instant impact from summer purchase Richarlison.

A 2-1 dismissal of Arsenal in mid-October lifted Watford into fourth place, and must have drawn the attentions of Everton, which was then flailing in 17th spot and nine days from firing manager Ronald Koeman. The Toffees were prepared to pay Watford around £10 million in compensation for Silva the following month, but the Portuguese handler's employer stood firm.

It's the form since that approach - three wins, two draws, 11 defeats - that has encouraged Watford to end Silva's two-year contract.

The Hornets follow the Stoke match with league skirmishes against Chelsea and West Ham United, before pitting themselves against new foe Everton on Feb. 24.