Watford have announced the appointment of Rob Edwards as Roy Hodgson’s replacement less than four hours before their game with Everton kicks off after an angry statement from Forest Green Rovers, the club he is leaving to join them.
Veteran manager Hodgson, 74, had already confirmed that he was stepping down at the end of the current season of the side whose relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at his previous employers Crystal Palace.
However, Forest Green, who 39-year-old Roberts steered to the League Two title last week in his first season in charge, went public on his departure just before 2pm with a statement that read: “FGR confirms the departure of head coach Rob Edwards. Rob was a key part of the team that gained promotion to League One this season. We’re disappointed that our support, loyalty and honesty towards Rob has been repaid in this way - with negotiations taking place behind our backs.
