Nottingham Forest looked at appointing Chris Wilder before they appointed Steve Cooper in September 2021. Now, the 55-year-old has been unveiled as the Watford manager.
This is the 18th managerial appointment at Vicarage Road since July 2012. For context on how ridiculous that is, West Ham have had as many managers in their entire history.
Wilder might have now decided to take a drink from the poisoned chalice. That said, the man who took Sheffield United to the Premier League has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The experience manager is back in work after leaving Middlesbrough in October. He had overseen just two wins from 11 matches during the 2022/23 campaign and was sacked from his position.
Wilder is best renowned for his work with Sheffield United. He spent almost four years at Bramall Lane, winning 106 of his 227 games in charge and leaving with a 46% win ratio.
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The Reds took a look at Wilder. The manager was out of work when the time came to replace Chris Hughton and at one point the Blades legend was actually out of work.
Dane Murphy had his sights set on Cooper though. The man who was in the CEO role at the time got his wish, despite certain key figures wanting Wilder instead.
Forest looked at Wilder but now he’s in at Watford
The manager will be delighted to get back in the hot seat. Watford won’t be an easy position for him though, with managers constantly sacked after next to no time in charge.
The Hornets have a talented squad though. They were in the Premier League last season and are still in the mix to secure a play-off place during the current campaign.
Watford currently sit ninth in the Championship, four points adrift of a place in the top six. Wilder knows what it takes to win promotion and he will fancy his chances this term.
Forest appointed Cooper and the rest is history. It will not be interesting to see if Wilder can enjoy the sort of rise in stock that the Welshman enjoyed at Forest during his time at Watford.