Vialli's Time at Watford

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With press speculation about John Gregory possibly being replaced and one of the possibilities being mentioned is Gianluca Vialli, Vialli's last English managerial experience: In May, 2001, Watford appointed Vialli as their manager. Just over a year later, after one season, Watford fired Vialli. See also, Wikipedia/Vialli


4thegame - May 2, 2001 - Watford appoint Vialli as boss

Gianluca Vialli is the new boss of Watford.
He replaces Graham Taylor at the First Division club. Taylor is to step down at the end of the season.
Vialli returns to management in England after losing his job at Chelsea earlier in the season.
Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli has been confirmed as the new manager of Watford.
The Italian will take over at the end of the season when Graham Taylor retires.
The Hornets represent Vialli''s first job in management since his unexpected exit at Stamford Bridge eight months ago.
The 1995 world player of the year was sacked by chairman Ken Bates on September 12 after just five games of the new Premiership season.
He paid the ultimate price for a failure to bring the championship back to the Blues amid a growing stream of tales of unrest inside the dressing room.
First Division Watford now give Vialli the perfect opportunity to prove his old boss wrong.
He would seemingly now be better equipped to handle the challenge, too.
In his short sabbatical, Vialli has sought to better himself as a manager, embarking on a Uefa coaching course in an attempt to improve his motivational and man-management skills.
The first test of his new skills would be a stiff one - returning the Hornets to the Premiership.
In his last season in charge, Taylor has been unable to take Watford to the play-offs in their first season after relegation from the Premiership at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign.
Fans would hope, however, that a high-profile and popular figure such as Vialli would attract greater talent to the club, and he could even look to friends at his old club Chelsea to join him in his new role. forthegame

BCC - Friday, 14 June, 2002, Watford sack Vialli
Vialli could not turn Watford's fortunes around
First Division Watford have terminated the contract of manager Gianluca Vialli.
Everyone's gutted about him leaving.... clubs don't give their managers enough time to achieve anything
Midfielder Gavin Mahon
He had only been in charge for one season, but it was a disappointing year, with the Hornets finishing in 14th place.
"I am very disappointed by the decision of the club, especially as my work at Watford was still in its early stages," Vialli said in a statement.
"I have been co-operative towards the club and they have tried to bring the best coaching staff to assist me.
"I also wish to record my thanks to the fans for their continuous support."
Financial crisis
Despite several high-profile signings, including Ramon Vega and Stephen Hughes, the ex-Chelsea boss could not improve Watford's fortunes on the pitch.
And in the wake of ITV Digital's collapse, the club now faces major financial problems and is looking to make big cutbacks.
Plans for a new stand have been put on hold and the club has already released five players, including veteran captain Filippo Galli to ease the crisis.
But Hornets midfielder Gavin Mahon said of his manager's dismissal: "Clubs don't give their managers enough time to achieve anything - maybe they can't now.
"Vialli only had one year to bring success to Watford. But the television money going changed all that. It's sad."
Vialli's 18 months of woe
2000: Sacked in September by Chelsea as Ken Bates seeks "a change of direction"
2001: Goes on Uefa coaching course and takes over at Watford in May
2002:Hornets finish 14th in D1 in May and Vialli is sacked as manager in June
"Everyone's gutted about him leaving. It's very sad news and I have no bad words to say about him.
"I understand the club has to cut back and there are a lot of clubs in the same situation because everyone is struggling to survive.
"Vialli brought me to the club and now he's gone, so where do we stand as players?"
Mass exodus
Vialli's dismissal follows the departure of other members of his coaching team.
First-team coach Ray Wilkins, fitness coach Giovanni Vaglini, club doctor Ian Beasley and masseur John Kelly left Vicarage Road earlier in the week.
With chairman Elton John also resigning last month, ending his 25-year association with the club, Watford clearly face a turbulent few weeks before their opening fixture of the new season, on 10 August, away at Leicester - BBC

BBC - Monday 17th June 2002 - Turmoil at Vicarage Road
Watford have issued a statement giving their reasons for sacking manager Gianluca Vialli and other members of staff.
Chief Executive Tim Shaw has put most of the blame on ITV Digital and he has also confirmed that Ray Lewington will take temporary charge for the time being.
Mr Shaw says that the departure of Vialli and others has been a result of the collapse of ITV Digital as cuts have had to be made in order to ensure future financial stability.
The club have been denied what was a future guaranteed income of £2m a year and he says that the frustration and anger of the fans should be directed at Carlton and Granada, who have failed to meet their legal obligations.
Mr Shaw says they simply couldn't afford to keep Vialli as manager and they are trying to come to an agreement with him in terms of the termination of his contract.
Lewington has taken over as Caretaker Manager and Mr Shaw says the club wish to interview a number of candidates for the vacant manager's position.
Mr Shaw also refutes claims that Vialli's departure was timed to coincide with the World Cup. He says last week happened to be the week when all the players and staff were back at the club.
Nine players have been asked to take a cut in wages and he is very encouraged by their response. He added that these were the worst times he had ever known for the club....>> BBC

BBC Friday, 7 February, 2003 Vialli sues Watford
Vialli has been negotiating a settlement for months
Gianluca Vialli has issued court proceedings after his sacking by Watford last June.
The Hornets tore up Vialli's three-year contract with two years left to run after a disappointing season in which wage costs at Vicarage Road soared and the team finished a lowly 14th in Division One.
Vialli has been negotiating a settlement for months, but the former Chelsea manager's decision to go to court could not come at a worse time for the club.
Watford narrowly avoided slipping into administration this season by forcing their players and staff to accept a 12% wage deferral and raising funds via a share issue.
But manager Ray Lewington held a sunshine summit with his coaching staff in Portugal this week to decide how to further reduce the size of the Watford squad for next season.
Watford admit Vialli error
Lewington is resigned to working with less players and will not have the money to keep several who are out of contract this summer unless Watford win promotion to the Premiership.
But he discussed where the axe could fall with assistant Terry Burton on a four-day training camp ahead of a crunch meeting with the Watford board in a month's time when he will learn his long-term budget.
Lewington said: "We know what we'd like to do but the crunch will come when the board tell us what we can do. There will be wastage.
"There will be players coming to the end of their contract that we won't sign even if the money is right. We have to prioritise our needs and we've used the Portugal trip to do that.
"But a lot will depend on the money we are given. I can talk until I'm blue in the face but if the club can't afford to do what I want to do it's pointless." BBC

Watford and Vialli - A Watford Fans Site Perspective
The perspective re Vialli of the now-defunct, but very interesting Watford Fan Site, Blind, Stupid and Desperate

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - I

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - II

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - III

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - IV

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - V

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - Axing Vialli