New bookies

Take it with a pinch of salt, but there is a new bookmakers' favourite to take over as head coach at Watford.

Former Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut has led the way at 2/1 ever since the market first went live, with hardly any movement among the contenders since.

More:Former Watford boss Ed Still back in work 17 days after sack

That has changed now, though, with former Swansea City and Southampton boss Russell Martin listed as the 2/1 favourite himself.

It is worth noting that in markets such as these, only a small amount of money can change the situation considerably.

Bulut has dropped down to 4/1, Liam Rosenior is into 5/1, while Scott Parker and John Mousinho sit at 6/1 with BetVictor.

Martin has enjoyed decent success at Championship level, known for his determination to play possession-heavy football.

Having implemented that style at MK Dons and then Swansea, he took charge of Southampton in the summer of 2023, leading them to the Premier League via the play-offs when they beat Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley.

Saints' return to the Premier League started disastrously, though, and he was sacked in December 2024 with his side having taken just five points from their first 16 games.

Martin then took charge at Rangers last summer, but his time in Scotland was extremely short-lived.

Sacked after 123 days, having become very unpopular with supporters, he is the club's shortest-serving manager.

Russell Martin has previously managed Swansea City (Image: Action Images)

Martin would need time and patience to instil his playing style, something the Hornets are hardly famed for with their head coach strategy.

But, for now, he is considered by the BetVictor to be the likeliest candidate to replace Ed Still, who was sacked after a dreadful end to 2025/26.

Speaking last Friday, club chairman Scott Duxbury revealed that he hoped to be closing in on an appointment by the end of this week.

He told the official club podcast: "The recruitment team is discussing with a number of individuals and hopefully by the end of next week we should be in a position to at least move forward with their preferred candidate and hopefully announce soon after.

"We've got Gino [Pozzo] directing it and then primarily Gian Luca [Nani], Valon [Behrami] and Andrea [Papadia] out there speaking. Everyone has an input at the beginning but once they've identified their shortlist, they're out there speaking to individuals.

"They'll be speaking about our squad, talking about what we can do this summer, and then hopefully we'll be in a position to close - ideally next week and announce soon after. That's the plan."