Edwards admits leaving Watford will always be one of his biggest regrets
Rob Edwards has confessed that walking away from Watford remains one of the biggest regrets of his managerial career, less than a year after his short-lived spell in charge came to an end. The 41-year-old admitted he still often reflects on what might have happened had he been given more time at Vicarage Road.
Edwards, who parted ways with the Hornets in dramatic circumstances last December, has spoken candidly about the emotional impact of his exit and the lessons he has taken from that experience. The former Forest Green Rovers boss was dismissed after just ten Championship games in the 2022/23 season following an inconsistent start, yet the episode clearly continues to weigh on his mind.
In a recent interview, Edwards described his time at the club as “unfinished business” and admitted he frequently replays the decision in his head.
“Leaving Watford will always be one of my biggest regrets,” Edwards admitted. “I genuinely believed we could create something special there. The supporters, players and staff were fantastic with me. We didn’t get the results early on, but I really felt we were beginning to move in the right direction.”
Edwards joined Watford in the summer of 2022 on the back of an impressive promotion campaign with Forest Green Rovers. His arrival was viewed as a statement of intent by the club’s board — a commitment to building long-term stability and introducing a more attacking philosophy after years of constant managerial turnover.
However, results during the opening weeks of the campaign failed to live up to expectations. With only three wins from ten matches, the club opted to part company with him — a decision that divided opinion among supporters, many of whom felt Edwards had not been given enough time to make his mark.
“That’s the nature of football,” Edwards reflected. “Things can change in an instant. But I really thought Watford was the right fit for me. Looking back, I wish I’d had more time to show what we could achieve together. It was a tough experience, but one that taught me a lot.”
Since his departure, Edwards has gone on to rebuild his reputation elsewhere, earning praise for his work and demonstrating resilience after a difficult spell at Vicarage Road. Yet his success since has only reinforced his sense that there was more to come from his Watford project.
Watford themselves have endured another turbulent period, continuing to change managers as they seek a route back to the Premier League. For some fans, Edwards’ brief stint remains a reminder of what stability might have brought.
Looking back, the former Hornets boss insists he bears no grudges and still appreciates the opportunity.
“I’ve only got positive feelings toward Watford,” he said. “It was an honour to manage the club. Sometimes things just don’t go your way, but you remember the people and the lessons.”
For Edwards, the regret of leaving Watford may never fully fade.