Ups, downs, countless managers, and everything in between. The Real EFL has put together our top five most crucial moments of the Pozzo family’s ownership of Watford.
In the summer of 2012, there was an exciting change of ownership at Watford as the Pozzo family acquired the club who were stuck in a rut of Championship mediocracy. Since then, there have been 22 managerial changes as well as two promotions and relegations. The topsy-turvy period has left the club almost exactly where they were 12 years ago, firmly in a rebuilding stage after a couple of disappointing seasons in the second tier.
As Tom Cleverley begins his tenure in yet another new era for the Hornets, it seems the perfect opportunity to reminisce on some important moments since the Pozzo family took charge. Here are our top five:
5. The appointment of Gianfranco Zola
Giampolo and Gino Pozzo certainly made a bold first decision as owners of Watford when they dismissed manager Sean Dyche despite a run of just one defeat in 13 to end the 2011/12 season.
On July 7, 2012, Chelsea and Italy legend Gianfranco Zola was appointed as his successor on a two-year deal. However, the then 45-year-old had a tricky start to life at Vicarage Road, winning just two of his first seven matches in charge and was quickly under pressure.
As the winter period approached, Zola got his ideas implemented and results soon followed. The season ended with a third-place finish, the club’s highest in six years, and despite a play-off final defeat to Crystal Palace, it reignited hope in Watford supporters.
Zola lasted just four months in the following campaign, resigning with the team sitting in 13th in December. That sour ending, though, is not what fans remember of the Italian’s time at the club. Instead, they will think of him as the man who spearheaded a new era and gave them the belief that their Premier League dream was once again achievable.
4. Watford 1-0 Millwall (24/04/21) – Bouncing Straight Back
Following five years in the top flight, Watford were relegated back to the Championship at the end of the 2019/20 season. Without careful planning, the fall from the Premier League to the Championship can become a slippery slope. Watford though, with a 91-point second-place finish ensured that this wasn’t the case in 2021, despite being largely the third-best team behind Norwich City and Brentford.
A turbulent season in front of empty stadiums due to COVID-19 culminated in the Hornets needing a win at home to Millwall to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Up stepped star man Ismaila Sarr from the penalty spot to give his side a 1-0 victory and send them up.
It has given the Hertfordshire outfit the financial security to rebuild since their 2022 relegation and if new head coach Cleverley pulls off what many will be hoping of him this season, he’ll have himself and his 2021 teammates to thank for keeping the club relevant in a risky period.
3. Fulham 0-5 Watford (05/12/14) – lost previous four and slipped from first to seventh
In 2014/15, it had been eight years since Watford had tasted Premier League football and they seemed stuck in the second tier. The Pozzo family were in their third season at the helm and were beginning to face backlash for continued managerial sackings and one too many nearly-promotions.
The campaign started brightly, but four consecutive defeats in November saw the team slip from the top of the Championship table to seventh. With pressure mounting on boss Slaviša Jokanović, Watford travelled to Craven Cottage to face a recently relegated Fulham side.
Little was expected but a five-star performance saw the Hornets pick up their joint biggest win of the season, coming away 0-5 victors. An Almen Abdi brace and a Troy Deeney hat-trick completed a thrilling win that clicked Watford back into gear as they went on to finish second and achieve promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the Pozzo reign. Without that night, who knows how long they could have been stuck in the Championship.
2. Renaming the Graham Taylor stand
Graham Taylor, widely renowned as Watford’s greatest-ever manager, took charge of 747 games as Hornets boss across two spells from 1977-87 and 1996-2001.
The Worksop-born boss led the club from the fourth tier to the first division in just five years in his first spell in charge, firmly cementing his spot as a Watford great. also guided them to an FA Cup final in 1984, which is still the closest the club have come to winning a major trophy, only reinforcing the God-like adornment he received from supporters. His return in 1996 was equally as remarkable, as he added another promotion to his CV.
In 2014, it was announced the Rous Stand at Vicarage Road would be renamed after the great manager as a symbol of thanks. Taylor, who passed away in 2017, was applauded as he took to the pitch prior to a game with Cardiff City. Former players and staff gave him the reception he deserved as he took in the atmosphere from the newly named ‘Graham Taylor Stand’. A day that, no matter what Watford do in the future, will live long in the memory of supporters.
1. Here’s Hogg…DEENEY!!!!!
It would be impossible to talk about Watford’s recent history without mentioning Deeney. The talismanic striker was the face of the club for over a decade, scoring 140 goals in 419 games. For so many though, his name will be forever tied to the now iconic clip of Sky Sports commentator Bill Leslie saying: “Here’s Hogg….,” before screaming “DEENEY!” as he thundered a volley into the net to send Watford to the play-off final (you have definitely read this in his voice).
Manuel Almunia had rescued his side just seconds earlier with a breath-taking double penalty save from Leicester City‘s Anthony Knockaert. Just as the thousands packed into Vicarage Road were breathing a sigh of relief and preparing for extra time, Watford counter-attacked. Fernando Forestieri crossed from the right wing and Jonathan Hogg knocked it down perfectly into the path of the on-rushing Deeney, and the rest, as they say, is history.
That goal is widely regarded as the greatest moment in play-off history and it’s not hard to see why, but for so many Watford fans, that feeling of jubilation may never be topped, and for that, it deserves top spot.
Which moments did we miss that would make your ‘Top Five’ list? Let us know @RealEFLSocial on X.