During his short stint, Still recorded a dismal record of 3 wins, 4 draws, and 8 defeats across 15 matches. This performance contributed to Watford finishing 16th in the Championship, which is a significant 16 points off the play-off pace. The team lost its last five league fixtures, conceding 16 goals while managing to score only once.

Still was appointed on February 9, 2026, on a two-and-a-half-year contract. However, his tenure was marred by poor results and mounting pressure from fans and management alike. This latest change adds to a troubling trend for Watford under owner Gino Pozzo, who has overseen an astonishing 23 permanent managerial appointments since taking control in 2012.

The club has cycled through 15 head coaches since September 2019, indicating a persistent instability that raises questions about its long-term strategy. Following Still’s departure, First Team Coach Karim Belhocine also left the club.

A statement from Watford FC expressed their gratitude toward Still and Belhocine: “Watford FC have this morning parted company with head coach Ed Still. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.” Scott Duxbury, Watford’s chief executive, acknowledged that improvements are necessary moving forward.

Duxbury commented, “We have to accept there were things we got wrong – and things that MUST improve over the close season.” Meanwhile, Ed Still emphasized the need for a reset: “The end of season is needed and there is plenty of time to reset, reshape and start again afresh from the summer.”

The search for a new manager will begin shortly, marking Watford’s fifth appointment in just one year. This ongoing cycle of managerial changes reflects deeper issues within the club’s structure and performance strategy.

The post Watford manager ed still sacked appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Barkley has started just four games in the Premier League during the 2025-26 season, making a total of 17 appearances. His limited playing time includes only two goals, which highlights his struggle for regular football.

Despite his challenges this season, Barkley played a key role for Luton after their promotion from the Championship in the 2022-23 season. However, he has been omitted from Aston Villa’s Europa League squad this year, indicating a declining role in the team.

Officials at Aston Villa must act quickly if they wish to retain him for another year. The club has allowed his contract situation to slip towards its final stages, which could lead to him leaving without a transfer fee.

Coventry City is reportedly lining up an offer for Barkley. Sheffield United, however, will be unable to pursue him this summer due to his wage demands. This situation leaves Barkley’s future uncertain as he engages in conversations with other clubs.

This season, Barkley has created seven chances and won 40 duels in the Premier League. His defensive contributions stand at 57, showing that he can still impact games despite limited starts.

As one observer noted, “It is surely now or never for them if they are to trigger their option to keep hold of him for another year.” This sentiment reflects the urgency surrounding his contract negotiations.

Barkley himself has expressed a desire for more regular football, emphasizing the need for a new home where he can showcase his talents consistently. His next steps will be crucial not only for him but also for Aston Villa’s squad depth moving forward.

The post Ross barkley: Aston Villa Faces Critical Decision on appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Before this development, expectations were moderately high for Still. The team finished 16th in the Championship, which left them 10 points above the relegation zone. However, his record deteriorated rapidly as he lost six of his final seven games as head coach.

Under Ed Still’s management, Watford experienced one of their worst seasons ever at the second-tier level. His points-per-game tally stood at just 0.87, with a total of eight losses out of 15 matches. This performance not only disappointed fans but also prompted club owner Gino Pozzo to make a decisive change.

The impact of this decision extends beyond just Still. Karim Belhocine also left the club alongside him, indicating a broader shake-up within the coaching staff. This marks Pozzo’s ongoing trend of managerial instability; he has now hired 24 permanent head coaches since 2012.

Still expressed the need for a reset during his brief time at the club, stating, “A reset is needed. We need to reset the squad, the staff and make sure that the energy around the team… is much stronger.” His vision for improvement will now be left to his successor.

The team’s next challenge will be crucial as they look to rebuild and avoid further decline in performance. As they prepare for the upcoming season, Watford faces significant pressure to reshape both their squad and strategy.

This managerial change comes after a disappointing season where Watford suffered a 4-0 defeat to Coventry City, highlighting the urgent need for fresh leadership and direction.

The post Watford sack manager ed still appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Watford’s performance deteriorated as they ended the season with five consecutive defeats. They conceded a total of ten goals in these matches, illustrating their defensive vulnerabilities. In contrast, Coventry City secured the Championship title with an impressive 92 points and a goal difference of +48.

Key statistics:

• Watford lost their final game of the season by four goals.
• This was Watford’s joint-lowest finish in the league in 21 years.
• Coventry City has remained unbeaten against Watford in their last eight league meetings.
• Ellis Simms scored a hat-trick during the match against Watford.
• The attendance for this match was 19,174.

Frank Lampard’s side will need to regroup quickly, having only won their final league game twice in the past thirteen seasons. The pressure is on as they look to improve next season.

Coventry City’s victory not only marked their first league double over Watford since the 2004-05 season but also showcased their strength as they head back to the top flight. Lampard has already turned his attention to the summer transfer window, emphasizing the importance of swift action to avoid immediate relegation.

The post Watford vs coventry appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Fans were in high spirits as they cheered for their team, with one supporter noting, “It is a party mood at Hillsborough, where the fans are celebrating a new ownership and dawn of a new era under businessman David Storch.” This win was Sheffield Wednesday’s first home victory of the season.

Nathaniel Chalobah and Liam Palmer scored for Sheffield Wednesday, while Karlan Grant netted the only goal for West Brom. The match was especially meaningful as it coincided with the completion of Sheffield Wednesday’s takeover by Arise Capital Partners.

This victory allows Sheffield Wednesday to avoid becoming the first team in EFL history to finish a campaign on minus points after suffering an 18-point deduction.

In contrast, West Brom, managed by James Morrison in his first match as permanent boss, finished the season in 21st place—four points above the drop zone. Morrison made three changes to the lineup for this match.

Key facts from the match include:

• Sheffield Wednesday won by scoring two goals compared to West Brom’s one.
• This marked Sheffield Wednesday’s second Championship win this season.
• West Brom aimed to extend their unbeaten run to eleven games but fell short.

Despite the defeat, West Brom managed to stay clear of relegation. The club captain Jed Wallace returned to the bench after recovering from a calf injury but did not play. Jayson Molumby missed out due to a minor muscle strain.

The post Sheffield wednesday vs west brom appeared first on cottenhamnews.

In the first half, Wellington assisted Harwood-Bellis’s goal in the 12th minute, putting Southampton ahead early. They maintained this momentum and doubled their lead early in the second half, showcasing their attacking prowess.

Preston managed to score through Dobbin after a mistake by goalkeeper Peretz, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match. Late in the game, Larin scored in injury time to secure the win for Southampton.

Key statistics from the match:

• Preston North End lost to Southampton 1-3.
• Wellington assisted Harwood-Bellis’s goal in the 12th minute.
• Larin scored in injury time to finalize the score.

Currently, Preston North End sits 12th in the Championship with 60 points, having scored 54 goals and conceded 59. In contrast, Southampton is positioned 5th, boasting 77 points and an impressive total of 79 goals scored this season.

The match highlighted Southampton’s strong form, as they are currently unbeaten in their last 4 league matches. Adam Armstrong has been particularly effective, contributing 11 league goals.

This victory is significant for Southampton as they push for a spot in the EFL play-offs. Their performance at Deepdale demonstrates their capabilities as they aim for promotion back to the Premier League.

The post Preston vs Southampton appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Ipswich Town dominated the match, scoring two goals within the first nine minutes. George Hirst opened the scoring, followed by Jaden Philogene doubling the lead shortly after. Kasey McAteer sealed the victory with a third goal in the 85th minute.

This promotion is significant for Ipswich, as they achieved it at the first attempt following relegation. Under manager Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town has now secured three promotions in four seasons, demonstrating a remarkable turnaround.

In contrast, QPR finished their season poorly, ending up 15th in the Championship and suffering four straight losses. The team struggled throughout the season, which culminated in this disappointing result.

The attendance for this pivotal match was 29,636, highlighting strong support from fans eager to see their team return to the Premier League. The atmosphere was electric as jubilant celebrations erupted on the pitch following the final whistle.

Kieran McKenna expressed his gratitude for this achievement: “It means a lot. It’s probably been the hardest one to be honest. I’m so grateful.” He also remarked on how special it was to achieve this promotion at home on such a sunny day.

Next season, Ipswich Town will join Coventry City in competing in the Premier League. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Ipswich will perform against top-tier teams after their impressive comeback.

The post Ipswich town vs qpr appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Callum Conway opened the scoring for Middlesbrough in the fourth minute. However, Wrexham responded with a free-kick goal from Josh Windass, who scored from around 25 yards out. Sam Smith then gave Wrexham a brief lead at 2-1.

But just two minutes later, David Strelec equalized for Middlesbrough, denying Wrexham their chance at promotion. The match ended with a score of 1-1, leaving Wrexham needing a win to secure their playoff position.

Key statistics:

• Wrexham finished two points behind Hull City for the playoff spot.
• The match was attended by 10,716 fans.
• Middlesbrough will face Southampton in the playoff semi-finals starting on May 9.

Phil Parkinson, Wrexham’s manager, reflected on the season: “We took the fight to the wire; it just wasn’t to be on the day.” He added that they enjoyed the season and didn’t want it to end.

Middlesbrough’s coach Kim Hellberg expressed optimism about their upcoming matches: “This is a great chance for us. We have a 25% chance of ending up in the Premier League; we will do everything we can to take that chance.”

This match concluded Wrexham’s aspirations for promotion after aiming for their fourth successive promotion from the National League four years ago. The team will now focus on regrouping and planning for next season.

The post Wrexham vs middlesbrough appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Kai Fotheringham scored the only goal of the match against Ayr, securing St Johnstone’s fifth consecutive win in the league. Meanwhile, Ross County ended their season at the bottom of the table, marking back-to-back relegations after a six-year stay in the Premiership.

Key statistics from the matches:

• St Johnstone finished 11 points clear of second place.
• Ross County scored 2 goals against Raith, but conceded 3.
• Ayr managed just 1 goal in their match against St Johnstone.

Airdrieonians also faced challenges, finishing in the relegation play-off spots after drawing 1-1 with Morton. Euan Henderson opened the scoring for Airdrie just three minutes into the second half, but Lewis Strapp received a red card shortly thereafter, impacting their performance.

The outcome of these matches confirmed St Johnstone’s promotion to the top flight next season. Observers now look toward how teams will prepare for upcoming promotion play-offs and reshuffle for next year’s competition.

The post Ayr vs st. johnstone appeared first on cottenhamnews.

Walker signed for Burnley in the summer of 2025 and has made 32 appearances for the team in the Premier League this term. Meanwhile, Sheffield United currently sits in 15th place in the Championship table and is winless in their last five matches.

The stakes are high for Sheffield United as they aim to strengthen their squad during the upcoming transfer window. Walker previously played for Sheffield United on loan during the 2009/10 season, showcasing his talent at a young age. He has expressed a desire to return to the club before retiring, indicating a strong emotional connection.

Sheffield United’s struggles this season highlight their need for experienced players like Walker. His presence could provide much-needed stability and leadership on the field. The club is looking to rebuild after a challenging campaign, and bringing back a former academy player could resonate well with fans.

However, it is unclear whether any official approach has been made by Sheffield United for Walker. The situation remains fluid as both clubs navigate their respective needs and goals ahead of the transfer window.

The post Kyle Walker’s potential transfer to Sheffield United appeared first on cottenhamnews.