8 Worst Watford Managers Ever

5. Ron Gray

He started his managerial career at Watford in 1950, but his tenure was not particularly successful. The club recorded their lowest ever football league finish, having to apply for re-election to the Football League in 1950–51. He managed Watford for 56 games and won only 13. His win rate of 23.21% makes him one of the worst Watford managers ever.

4. George Kirby

George Kirby was appointed as the manager of the club in 1971. It was expected of him to take Watford to new heights but it wasn’t to be so. Injuries, boardroom unrest, and a shortage of luck and money conspired to produce two terrible seasons.

He led the team to one relegation with the team just surviving a second successive one. He managed 97 games as the manager of Watford, winning just 21 and losing 49. Kirby was replaced as the manager of the club in 1973.

3. Johnny Paton

After serving Watford as its first-ever player coach, Paton succeeded Len Goulden as the manager in October 1955. He had a good start to his reign, but after entering the hospital for a cartilage operation on both knees, the team’s form drained away in his absence.

Paton was relieved of his duties only four months into his reign, after just two wins from 15 Third Division South matches. His winning rate of 17.65% is among the worst in the club’s history.