Watford and Ranieri part company
After just 14 matches in charge Watford have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri.
End of Ranieri
With Watford currently in the middle of Double Gameweek 23 what does this mean for our FPL assets?
Watford are yet to keep a clean sheet so far this season and sit bottom of the defensive stats in the Fantasy Football Scout members area.
Goalkeeper Foster missed out in the first match of Double Gameweek 23 as a result of Covid and so many managers will be hoping to see him to return for the second match against Burnley.
FPL managers and Watford fans will be hoping for some new manager bounce, although this was not forthcoming when Ranieri arrived.
Record
Ranieri’s fixtures in the Premier League started off with a tough run including the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City.
It is likely that it is the one point from matches against relegation rivals Newcastle and Norwich that has left Watford searching for another new manager. The new appointment will be their 15th manager since the 2012/13 season.
- L 0-5 Liverpool
- W 2-5 Everton
- L 0-1 Southampton
- L 1-0 Arsenal
- W 4-1 Man United
- L 4-2 Leicester
- L 1-2 Chelsea
- L 1-3 Man City
- L 2-1 Brentford
- L 1-4 West Ham
- L 0-1 Tottenham
- D 1-1 Newcastle
- L 0-3 Norwich
Ranieri managed 14 games for Watford in his 112 days in charge and in that time he won two, drew one and lost 11. Picking up just 7 points.
Potential new manager
Bookmakers PaddyPower have previous Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro at 2/1 favourites for the job.
Cannavaro has plenty of experience in the Middle East and China and is known for his defensive security. This could make Foster and the Watford defence attractive enablers if its Cannavaro who is given the job.
FPL impact
Emmanuel Dennis’ red card in Gameweek 23 means he will be unavailable against Burnley in what is likely to be the new managers first game in charge. Owners of Josh King will be hoping that he can register an attacking return.
Josh King was unavailable for Ranieri’s first game in charge at Watford.
The first game he played for the manager was in Gameweek 9 where he recorded a 16 point haul. If he replicates this commitment in the second part of Double Gameweek 23 the 10.2% of FPL managers who own him will likely see a big green arrow.
