Hein Vanhaezebrouck turned down an offer to take over at Watford before the Championship outfit turned to Vladimir Ivic instead, as reported by Het Nieuwsblad.
It is safe to assume Ivic was not a household name when he arrived in Hertfordshire in August and, four months later, Hornets fans still don’t know quite what to make of the straight-talking, steely-eyed Serb.
Ivic led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Israeli title last season. But whether he is the right man to lead Watford back to the Premier League at the first time of asking is a matter of serious debate.
Watford have slipped out of the play-offs after winning just one of their last five matches, and a rather stodgy style of football doesn’t exactly have supporters counting down the days until they are allowed back in Vicarage Road.
Despite boasting one of the league’s most fearsome frontlines, containing Troy Deeney, Andre Gray, Joao Pedro and the £50 million-rated Ismaila Sarr, Watford have scored just 19 goals in 16 matches.
Interestingly, reports from Belgium suggest that Ivic was not exactly the first choice either.
Niuewsblad report that Watford made contact with Vanhaezebrouck, a 56-year-old who won Belgium’s Manager of the Year award in 2015 after winning the double with Gent.
The tactician’s reputation took a major hit after an ill-fated spell at Anderlecht but he was not short of offers over the summer. Vanhaezebrouck allegedly turned down Watford, as well as PAOK, Malmo and Reims, as he wanted to wait until the New Year before kick-starting his career.
Having said that, the chance to return to Gent was one he couldn’t refuse.
Vanhaezebrouck is back at the club he led into the Champions League knockout stages four years ago, replacing Wim de Decker over the weekend.
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