Were Watford right to sack Marco Silva?

Watford certainly begun the 2017/18 campaign in rather steadfast fashion under Marco Silva’s newly installed leadership. The Portuguese tactician could seemingly do no wrong at the start of the season – but now, with the Hornets edging ever closer to the Premier League drop-zone, it seems the Watford hierarchy have been forced to make a change.

 

To most, this latest managerial departure feels a little too reactionary…

 

Watford have sacked Marco Silva. They’re 10th in the Premier League🙄

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) January 21, 2018

 

…although others remain keen to back the decision…

 

Watford have done the right thing on Marco Silva. Took his eye off the ball after flirting with Everton. Players clearly see the signs and switch off… If they didn’t act, they’d go down.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 21, 2018

 

Watford had a huge task on their hands in sourcing Silva’s replacement…

 

There are surprise sackings and then there is the sacking of Marco Silva!
Regarded by so many in the game as one of the brightest young managers around and given the bullet so quickly by Watford. Good luck in finding anyone better…..

— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) January 21, 2018

 

…adding further doubt and speculation amid the English top-flight…

 

The Premier League makes a farce of itself when 8 of 20 managers are fired within 24 games (Marco Silva). Many owners and execs are making it up as they go along.

— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) January 21, 2018

 

The timing seems somewhat unorthodox for such a big decision…

 

Watford have sacked Marco Silva less than two months after rejecting Everton's £15m offer to hire him pic.twitter.com/BHYzVfzOg6

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) January 21, 2018

 

…yet the Portuguese tactician will seemingly be back again soon…

 

10p says Marco Silva is Southampton manager inside a month.

— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) January 21, 2018

 

Although Marco Silva remains a very highly rated managerial personality…

 

Absurd decision, in my opinion, by Watford to fire Marco Silva after his first bad run. He’ll be snapped up very quickly and Watford will almost certainly get someone less talented.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 21, 2018

 

…perhaps the Watford hierarchy were given little choice but to act…

 

BREAKING: Watford sack Marco Silva stating "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" 👀 pic.twitter.com/zn4XONJUUk

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 21, 2018

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