According to a report by the Daily Mail‘s James Andrew and Lee Clayton, Watford manager Billy McKinlay is preparing to step down after just eight days in charge of the club.
If true, the Championship side will be without a manager for the third time in the last six weeks.
The report does not state why McKinlay will leave the team. Just six days ago the 45-year-old left his post as assistant manager of the Northern Ireland national team to focus solely on his Watford duties.
McKinlay is Watford’s fourth manager since December of last year, and should he leave they would need to look for a fifth. Gianfranco Zola led the club to a 3rd place finish and a place in the playoff final at Wembley two years ago, but stepped down after a run of five losses in a row. Giuseppe Sannino took over, but left the club due to dressing room unrest on August 31st. His successor Oscar Garcia lasted most of September before stepping down for health reasons, and McKinlay was placed in charge just over a week ago.
Breaking: Billy McKinlay to leave Watford after two (unbeaten) games! More on @MailSport soon. Crazy!
— Lee Clayton (@LeeClayton_) October 6, 2014
It’s now being reported by Sky Sports’ Pete O’Rourke as well:
It looks like Billy McKinlay is set to leave Watford after just two games in charge. #watfordfc
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) October 6, 2014
The club had just two matches under McKinlay’s care, Watford was undefeated in two matches, beating Brentford 2-1 away from home and drawing 1-1 with Brighton at Vicarage Road.
The local paper still hasn’t gotten the scoop but is aware of what is being said:
We are aware of the report regarding #watfordfc head coach Billy McKinlay and are checking it out.
— Watford Observer (@Observer_Owl) October 6, 2014
McKinlay coached Fulham’s reserve team for almost 10 years and was involved in helping coach the senior squad on an interim basis, but Watford was his first managerial job.