Watford set to retain Alessio Dionisi after four straight Championship defeats

Watford intend to retain head coach Alessio Dionisi despite a run of four consecutive Championship defeats, according to BBC Three Counties Radio. The Italian is expected to remain in charge for Saturday's home match against Charlton Athletic after a 5-1 loss at Cardiff on Tuesday left his team in the relegation zone.

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The Cardiff result followed a 4-0 defeat against Burnley on Saturday, meaning Watford conceded nine goals across their two most recent matches. BBC Sport's report on Wednesday said the club were not planning a managerial change despite those results. BBC Three Counties Radio sports editor Geoff Doyle reported that Watford were saying they would stick with Dionisi.

Asked about his position after the Cardiff match, Dionisi declined to assess whether he would stay. He told the BBC that a decision about his future was not his to make, explaining that his responsibilities were preparing the players in training and taking the team onto the pitch. His response came immediately after the latest defeat in the sequence.

Watford's current run contrasts with their opening to the campaign. They began with three unbeaten league games, including a victory over Southampton on the first day of the season. Since that unbeaten start, however, they have won only one Championship match, against Preston, who are bottom of the table. The Cardiff defeat pushed Watford into the division's relegation places.

Dionisi took the job in June and became Watford's 12th permanent manager since the end of the 2020-21 season. Doyle said the club appeared to want to move away from the repeated changes of coach that have characterised that period. That was his assessment of the club's approach; the report did not set out any longer-term guarantee concerning Dionisi's position.

Doyle also said supporter discontent extended beyond the head coach, with criticism directed at owner Gino Pozzo and the running of the club. For now, the reported decision leaves Dionisi preparing the side for Charlton, with Watford seeking to end a four-match losing sequence under their existing coach.