Watford News 24/7Writer: Dr Watford 
Date:Monday November 3 2008
Time: 10:55PM
UK time is: 02:45:33
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Boothroyd sacked...or did Aidy walk?
After 3 ½ years of a rollercoaster ride at Vicarage Road, Aidy Boothroyd has been relieved of his position at Watford, with immediate effect.
Boothroyd became the 12th gaffer to leave their job this season to the surprise and shock of us all here at VitalWatford.
A short but ambiguous statement from chairman Graham Simpson on the Watford official site simply read "It is with some sadness that we have taken the decision, along with Aidy, that the time is right for a new manager to take Watford Football Club forward.'
'Both parties feel that his tenure at the Club is simply at an end and, following discussions, we have mutually decided that a parting of the ways is in the best interests of all concerned".
So it still remains to be seen whether the board pushed Boothroyd or if Aidy decided enough was enough and quit.
All we know was the players who let him and us down so badly against Blackpool was the final straw either way…
umours are rife across the internet on both accounts with various accounts suggesting it was Aidy that threw in the towel rather than the board having the final say.
In truth, we couldn't blame Boothroyd - the board have acted badly this season stripping us of any chance of success by flogging off the crown jewels right under the nose of the gaffer.
The fact that Aidy had to put a positive spin on some shocking times at Vicarage Road have put him under the spotlight with disillusioned fans too.
Strange thing is that this season might not have seen the results to the boards liking but some of the football has been a breath of fresh air after Boothroyd promised to change the style of play.
And we know that Aidy is a man of his word.
Watford insist "the club will issue no further comment" but here at VitalWatford we only hope that the board didn`t expect more than Aidy offered...
Promotion to the Premier League on a shoestring, a cup semi final against Man Utd, a successful battle against relegation in his first 4 months in the job, 2 play offs and a link to the England coaching set-up is one hell of a CV after just 3 ½ years…
So Aidy will go to bigger and better things no doubt and won't be out of a job for too long.
Let's just hope the board have dealt a blow to get rid of his backroom cast of thousands - including rubbish first team coach Malky Mackay - as well...
Please don't promote from within.
Anyway, good luck Aidy…just don`t join the circus at Loftus Road as many of the online cynics suggest you will!
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Your Comments
Aidy's an honourable man and sounded completely devastated after Saturday's game and he'd probably just had enough, I also think the players had become disillusioned with the situation and perhaps Aidy was unable to motivate them any further as he wasn't in control of what would happen in Jan. Great shame as the season started with such promise and initially exceeded expectations.
Farewell Aidy and thanks for the success you delivered. I for one will applaud him when he returns to the Vic.
RFB-gloryhornetboys
Malky will get the job because the liklehood of us being able to fork out for someone half decent in a job - or someone half decent outside of work is unlikely. It will be Hunter/Mackay or another nobody on the coaching staff somewhere. Always thought Aidy was bulletproof, but, in all fairness, it's probably for the best in my opinion.
wfc123
RFB, I have to disagree with your comments about the season staring with such Promise. WIth players going out and a lack of quality coming in, the threat of players leaving in Jan, just when the transfer window closed in Sept, Filled me and others who sit around me with sheer gloom. The way things are going, we could have a dog track reinstalled, Does anyone see a club that is going to move forward? or a club that could just fade away and wallow in the lower league? i do hope its not the latter. Think Simpson is destroying every thing about our club, i did not see a need for aidy to go, it was apparant that he was working with his arms tied behind his back, Yes, some of the signings have been poor, have to admit i thought Hoskins was one, but he has changed my mind! Aidy was not allowed to employ a right hand man, so had to make do with Malky! does anyone know who is taking charge of the team now?
ANDY710
I was referring to the early home performances this season which I thought showed promise (in terms of results & quality) and briefly increased the very low expectations I had after the enforced summer Sales and dire pre-season build-up.
As I've said previously, Aidy sounded absolutely gutted after the Blackpool game and I think had lost some of the players.. Heh ho
RFB-gloryhornetboys
I thought that was the case, still early for me! considering what we had, it was a good start, but this is such a hard league, you can easliy be found out! No more statements from WFC, about somes it up really, its a few weeks before we are at home again, but we could be bottom by then, begining to feel like a Geordie now!
ANDY710
AB hadn't lost the dressing room thats for sure. I am 98% sure that this was Aidy's decision and not the boards. Just you wait we'll get some YES man sign up and anyone of any promise no matter how little will be sold off in Jan.
What price the board delaying the appointment of the new boss until February? John Ward is linked as interim boss this morning.
DrWatford
I Don't belive the John Ward story, he has applied for the managerial job here on several occasions, and not had a sniff.
ANDY710
OK Doc, but I believe there was a clear problem in Aidy being unable to motivate some of the "senior" players, as evidenced by their recent defensive performances. Perhaps it was more a case of him not being able to control events off the pitch (transfers, contracts etc) that resulted in a loss of faith, but there clearly was a problem with confidence / morale.
Moving on, at least the EGM on 1 Dec can now focus on the real issue, ie the Board, ownership and the finances rather than dissatisfaction with the Manager. However I fear that the Russos are most unlikely saviours and are just after Simpson for the sake of it and there are no takeovers or fresh money in the pipeline. As we've both said previously, we will face more Player Sales in January and the headlong rush towards "Div 3" which will surely follow (which was where we were when I started back in 1963). Heh Ho, hope I'm wrong. Come on You Golden Boys!
RFB-gloryhornetboys
bad mistake.........gonna be a big loss to you !!!!
lincolnblue
Well thank you Lincoln for your great words of wisdom, as this is a forum for the fans, who incidently tend to agree with your comments, may i suggest you go go teach some one else to suck eggs, or better stiil contact our great chairman and tell him your thoughts!
ANDY710
Of course this could be Simpson testing the resolve of potential investors. The board are not in a position to offer a contract to any new manager. If Boothroyd was sacked and compensation paid, Simpson could get his money back via the sale, as it is, i think for sure we will lose players in Jan and the club will not only be managerless, but they will also have less quality, the true assetts will be sold, maybe including the ground and then it will be worthless. but i think we can be rest assured that Simpson and co will not be out of pocket!
ANDY710
Latest news is that Malky has stepped into the breach as caretaker manager with Martin Hunter as his No 2... quelle f'in surprise. That's right bring in the guy who is 95% of the problem and the worse defensive coach I have ever seen to run the full team.
DrWatford
But it gets worse, Simpson says that Malky would be considered for the role full time!! is that because he comes cheap?
ANDY710
Andy, lincoln blue comes on just about every website and makes a one line non-comment just to get himself points, he's not a registered Watford supporter and is best left to himself. How sad is that?
RFB-gloryhornetboys
You guys are going to find it hard now. I thought Aidy was your ray of sunlight, and when we got rid of nobson we were all praying in sheffield that we would go for aidy. Personally i think he has walked, i carnt see the watford board sacking him to be honnest after everything he has achieved in such a short amount of time. Good luck guys - i like watford as a club and admire your support you gave us during the WEST SHAM saga. GOOD LUCK!!
bladesforlife1889
lincon is a prise pillock!! think he is trying to get top of the table on vital points. saddo - PIZZA SCOFFING, GAME DOWNLOADING, PORN CHAT ROOMS SINGLETON!! ha ha
bladesforlife1889
A big surprise for those not attached to Watford too.. When Redknapp left Pompey recently there was talk of Boothroyd as one of the best up and coming managers outside the Prem.. Seems odd.. Surely he walked.. Waford may end uo regretting this decision.. I hope not for you guys but chairmen and boards work in mysterious way.. but then again you know that at Watford I guess... Chins up you're too good to be where you are .. Andy Hessenthaler then or Kenny Jackett ?
Chix
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