It's official: Ex-Mag now back in the Premier League as relegation rivals hit panic button
Watford have turned to former Magpies coach Nigel Pearson to save their season following the sacking of manager Quique Sanchez Flores.
The Hertfordshire club - who are now onto their third manager so far this season - made the decision to axe Flores last week following a disastrous start to the season.
They currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League with just 1 win in 15, with their grand total of 8 points leaving them 7 clear of the drop zone ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
Pearson was made the caretaker manager of Newcastle on two different occasions, once for the final game of the 2006/07 season following the sacking of Glen Roeder and then briefly in January 2008 following the departure of Sam Allardyce.
His combined record as Newcastle boss stands at 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss, with the sole victory coming in a 4-1 victory against Stoke City at St James’ Park in an FA Cup replay shortly before Kevin Keegan’s return to the club.
Watford are desperate for a turnaround to their season, which some regard as surprising following an impressive campaign last time out which saw them finish mid-table and reach the FA Cup final.
Pearson is returning to the top flight for the first time since being sacked by Leicester prior to their title-winning season in 2016, but has had unimpressive stints at both Derby County and Belgian side OH Leuven in the years that followed.
It could work, with him inspiring Leicester to safety back in 2015, yet it feels like one final press of the panic button at Vicarage Road for me.
