For the first time in the Pozzo era, Watford have a caretaker manager — Hayden Mullins. Every one of their 10 appointments previously have been given the job on a permanent basis. Even Billy McKinlay, who lasted only eight days back in 2014.



McKinlay’s appointment followed the summer dismissal of Beppe Sannino and appointment of Oscar Garcia, who quickly stepped down for health reasons. The Scot was replaced after two games by Slavisa Jokanovic, who led the club to promotion to the Premier League.



The hierarchy will be hoping this year they will need only three head coaches to get things right, but having a temporary man in charge means they are in uncharted, choppy waters.



In terms of who the new man will be, it appears to be an open book — bar any of those that they have had in charge before (they won’t go back down that road after the way reappointing Quique Sanchez Flores went) or anyone currently employed elsewhere — and the...