Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards says his brief stint at Watford in 2022 was “probably the right thing” to end when it did, as he prepares to return to Vicarage Road for the first time as a coach on Saturday.
Edwards was dismissed after just 11 games of the 2022/23 campaign, with owner Gino Pozzo citing performances that “hadn’t reflected our hopes and ambitions.”
Initially, Watford’s plan had been to hand Edwards greater control and part ways with sporting director Cristiano Giaretta, but the club instead opted to remove the head coach — who later led rivals Luton Town to Premier League promotion that same season.
Reflecting on that period, Edwards said:
“It’ll be a nice experience, a new one to be going back. I wasn’t there that long, and it was a while ago now. It’s just another game for me. You learn from every experience, good and bad. It was frustrating it was such a short spell, but it was probably the right thing for me and the club. I took a lot from it.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, Edwards expects a stern challenge from Javi Gracia’s Watford side.
“They’re very strong, and Javi Gracia is an experienced, very good coach. We’re expecting a really tough game.