By Victor Kanayo
An English Championship football club Watford FC have confirmed the appointment of Slaven Bilić as its new Head Coach.
Confirming the latest development via its official website on Monday afternoon and obtained by Heritage Times HT, the club said Bilic has been handed an 18-month contract, subject to receiving the relevant work permit.
There are no fewer than three Nigeria’s Super Eagles players – Troost-Ekong, Samuel Kalu and Maduka Okoye who play for club.
They will work under a new manager starting from the club’s next fixture against Stoke City.
The new handler has now replaced Rob Edwards who, along with assistant Richie Kyle, has left Vicarage Road.
The Hornets’ owner Gino Pozzo who spoke on the move said, “As with all decisions taken by the Board, I believe this change to be in the best interests of the club.
“We felt Rob had enough time to show us the identity of his team, however performances haven’t reflected our hopes and ambitions.
“Now we must move forward, and, in Slaven Bilić, we have secured the services of an experienced coach who has recent experience of promotion to the Premier League.”
Former Croatia international player and national team coach, Bilić’s most recent work in this country was to guide West Bromwich Albion to promotion in the 2019/20 season.
The 54-year-old also managed West Ham United in the Premier League, collecting coaching experience abroad in between times at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and most recently in China with Beijing Guoan. He’s also managed in Russia and homeland Croatia.
The ex-centre-half’s playing career began in the late 1980s in his home country, before experience in Germany preceded his time in England at both West Ham United and Everton.
His career ended in 2000 after an emotional return to his first club Hajduk Split, in Croatia.
Born on 11 September 1968, Crotian International, Slaven Bilic during his active football days plied his trade with, Everton, West Ham United, Karlsruher SC, Šibenik and Hajduk Split.
