Munoz becomes first Premier League manager to be sacked as Watford wield axe

Watford have sacked manager Xisco Munoz after just 10 months in charge following Saturday's defeat to Leeds United.

The newly-promoted side are currently sat 14th in the table after recording two wins from their opening seven games.

But the club's hierarchy have moved to remove Munoz from his post less than 24 hours after the 1-0 defeat to Leeds.

A club statement read: "Watford FC confirms Xisco Muñoz has left his post as the club's Head Coach.

"The Board feels recent performances strongly indicate a negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving.

"The Hornets will always be grateful to Xisco for the part he played in securing last season's promotion and wish him well for his future career in football.

"No further club comment will be available until the imminent announcement of a new Head Coach."

Munoz spent just 10 months in charge at Vicarage Road ( Image:

Action Images via Reuters)

Munoz only led Watford back to the Premier League via automatic promotion back in May and his team started the campaign superbly with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

However, three successive league defeats followed, to Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves respectively, with their only other victory coming against rock bottom Norwich City.

The Hornets did manage to earn a point at home to Newcastle, but the loss to Leeds - who were yet to record a top-flight victory this season - was seemingly the final straw.

Watford were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup last month to Championship side Stoke, having beaten Crystal Palace to progress to the third round.

Munoz becomes the latest short-term casualty by the club, who have developed a reputation for sacking their managers harshly and abruptly.

He was only appointed in December 2020 as a replacement for Vladimir Ivic and became Watford's seventh manager in only three-and-a-half years.

Watford were somewhat unfortunate to be on the losing side against Leeds after having a goal controversially ruled out by the VAR.

But goalkeeper Ben Foster feels a draw would only have been hiding the shortcomings of their otherwise dismal performance.

Who should Watford appoint as Munoz's replacement? Have your say below.

"I thought if we would have [equalised] it would have been papering over the cracks," said Foster. "We were very poor today. We didn't have a shot on target, so can't expect to come away with anything.

"They were very sharp and worked their socks off but if you allow them to do that it's going to be a long day. If that goal had been given it would have been very unjust to the overall picture.

"I think we're a better team than what we are showing. We were very poor today - miles away from it. We haven't had a shot on target and didn't lay a glove on them."

The international break now gives the club time to find and appoint a successor, with Watford's next fixture against Liverpool on October 16.

But it seems they have already got someone lined up, after stating there would be an "imminent" announcement.