Alessio Dionisi speaks for first time after becoming the new Watford head coach, replacing Ed Still, who was sacked after 3 months in charge.
The Italian, who has signed a 2 year deal, was sacked by Serie B side Empoli on the 10th of March, picking up just 5 wins in 22 games.
As per BBC Sport, Dionisi becomes the Hornets’ 12th head coach, excluding interim bosses, since the end of the 2020/21 season, and the 24th since the Pozzo family took over the club in 2012.
So based on that, and when you look at the fan reaction (see towards the bottom of this article), it’s hardly a surprise people are already working out how long he’ll be in charge for.
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) June 15, 2026
The club said in a statement on their website: “Watford FC can confirm the appointment of Alessio Dionisi as the club’s new Head Coach.
The 46-year-old Italian has signed a two-year deal at Vicarage Road and arrives with Serie A experience and a top-flight promotion under his belt, as well as boasting victories against some of Europe’s biggest teams.
Dionisi’s backroom staff will include Luca Vigiani, who worked here under Walter Mazzarri between 2016 and 2017.
He will serve as an analyst, while Fabio Spighi joins as Head of Physical Performance.
Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani said: “Alessio has been on our radar for a long period and we are really pleased to have reached an agreement with him,” said Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani.
“We made it clear we were looking for an experienced coach who has won leagues and been promoted – and Alessio fits the profile.
“He is an excellent coach, who we believe has the credentials to get the best out of the players we have in the squad and those we want to add.
“I know Alessio is really excited by the opportunity and we look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have here.”
Alessio said: “I’m highly motivated and can’t wait to begin this new challenge with Watford Football Club.
“English football has always fascinated me and now I’ve got the opportunity to live and breathe it first hand.”
A centre-back during his playing days, Dionisi began his coaching career in 2014 and rose from the lower levels to the very top of the game in Italy.
He guided Serie D outfit Imolese to a second-place finish in 2018 and kicked on again during the following season in Serie C, ending third before defeat in the play-offs.
This success attracted the attention of Venezia in Serie B, and Dionisi successfully kept the club in the second tier before moving on again to Empoli.
Competing again in Serie B, he led the club to the 2020/21 league title and a spot in Serie A, remarkably after finishing the entire campaign unbeaten at home and only losing three games.
Dionisi was then chosen by established Serie A side Sassuolo to replace Roberto De Zerbi, with the Head Coach going on to spend two-and-a-half seasons mixing it with the country’s elite clubs.
In 2021/22 he notably claimed a double away success at the San Siro – beating AC Milan 3-1 in the famous stadium before toppling Internazionale 2-0.
He also has wins against the likes of Juventus and AS Roma on his CV, alongside a run to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Back in Serie B with Palermo during 2024/25, Dionisi led the club to a play-off place, while he most recently spent a second spell with Empoli.
A warm welcome to the Hornets, Alessio!
Here’s how fans reacted after Alessio Dionisi speaks for first time on becoming new the new head coach of Watford…
@SocialEngland66: Doesn’t see the first game in November.
@ajobbowfc: Championship experience I thought? Yeah I checked out months ago, same old same old he’ll be gone in September
@rio_woolf: I’m reserving judgement until his first interview where he tells us, we play high intensity, attacking football with lots of pressing.
@wfccaity: 2 year deal? The circus continues 🤡
@wolvespremier: If he keeps the job til September he will be the third longest serving manager in your history 👏👏
@MattLawless76: After the announcement by #watfordfc of the new HC & subsequent general reaction of apathy by the fans, this should serve as worrying to the hierarchy at the club, but will they even notice? Dangerous times at Vic rd. A broken fanbase & club in decline. Pozzo fatigue is real
@BotatoPatrick: Nobody cares. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. I’ll be at Barnet & Borehamwood next season. Watford supporter since 1974. #pozzoout
@Hutchywutch: Nothing more about this. Just leave silence. Unless you’re gonna admit that we’re already a year’s worth out of pocket before he’s even begun, because Empoli pulled your absolute pants down.
@integraps: Underwhelming. I hope he proves me wrong but just seems like another potentially poor decision – we build squads of exciting young talent but then appoint second rate coaches to try and make them into a successful team. Will he be strong enough to win over the players and the fans – the appointment goes against everything Duxbury and Pozzo told the fanbase so the negativity grows (unless we’re top of the league by the first international break in October)!
@DanHarvey74: Have heard that he plays a fast, aggressive and direct brand of attacking football that heavily prioritises quick transitions and high intensity counter attacks so all good 👍🏻
@RohanQuinn: Absolutely no idea who this guy is, but guarantee he isn’t manager of Watford in December.
