Watford appoint Chris Wilder as new manager after sacking Slaven Bilic

Watford have confirmed the appointment of Chris Wilder as their new manager until the end of the season.

The Hornets parted company with Slaven Bilic today after one win in their last eight Championship games.

Watford lost just two of those games, but they are four points off the play-off places.

There are 11 games remaining in the campaign, and the Vicarage Road club still have a chance of clinching Premier League promotion.

Watford lost faith in Bilic and will hope taking a punt on their third manager of the season pays off.

Wilder is the club’s 18th permanent manager since July 2012.

The Hornets’ owner – Gino Pozzo – never hesitates to pull the trigger whenever results do not go their way.

Wilder must hit the ground running if he wants to stay until the end of the season.

The former Sheffield United manager has experience when it comes to pursuing promotion.

He helped the Blades to two promotions from League One to the Premier League within three years at the Bramall Lane club.

Wilder left the club by mutual consent in 2021 while they were bottom of the Premier League.

He joined Middlesbrough eight months later but was sacked after 11 months with the club in the bottom three of the Championship.

Boro had won only two of 11 league games played at the time of Wilder’s dismissal.

Nevertheless, his appointment was confirmed just 17 minutes after Bilic’s exit was announced.

Watford face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday and Wilder will aim to begin his reign with a much-needed victory.