Claude Puel could be on his way back to the Premier League to replace Nigel Pearson at Watford with the Mail reporting that the Hornets have already missed out hiring Craig Shakespeare until the end of the season.
It’s fair to say Watford are not exactly strangers to shaking things up on the sidelines.
But, with just two games remaining in 2019/20, it remains to be seen whether the decision to hand Pearson a freshly-printed P45 is madness – or, indeed, a masterstroke.
A limp 3-1 defeat to fellow strugglers West Ham United on Friday appeared to strike fear into the heart of Watford’s Pozzo family ownership.
And, already, it seems that the Hertfordshire outfit have missed out on their first-choice replacement.
Shakespeare, the former Leicester boss and Pearson’s assistant at Vicarage Road, had been lined up to step into the void before opting to walk away in support of the now-departed 56-year-old.
The Mail reports that Watford could now turn to Puel, who’s future across the Channel at Ligue 1 outfit St Etienne is also far from certain.
The softly-spoken Frenchman is not short of Premier League experience but his spells in charge of Southampton and Leicester were hardly roaring successes.
Yes, there was a League Cup final and an eight-place finish at the Saints but Puel has an unfortunate knack of sending the fans into a stupor with his less-than-thrilling style of football.
Watford need just three points from their final two games to secure survival. Those games in question, however, are against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
