Walter Mazzarri – Watford
Watford have been a formidable side since their return to the Premier League last season and are currently in the top half of the table. However, the club’s ownership can make a coach’s head spin. Former Internazionale manager Walter Mazzarri is navigating this area quite successfully thus far in 2016-17.
Giampaolo and Gino Pozzo purchased the club in the summer of 2012 and sought unique ways of improving the Hornets. The Pozzo family also owns Udinese in the Italian Serie A, often sending players over to Watford on loan during the past few years.
After instability ahead of their first season back in the Premier League, Quique Flores performed well in charge of Watford last season. Opting to return to Spain this summer, Mazzarri stepped into his first management role outside of Italy.
After success at Sampdoria and Napoli (especially after the arrival of Edinson Cavani), a disastrous spell at Inter Milan ended in his sacking after one year.
Mazzarri brings a defensive approach influenced by his career as a player and manager in Italy. Often deploying three defenders on the back-line, Watford has been utilising quick movement and sharp passing to find success this season. With players like Etienne Capoue and Odion Ighalo, Mazzarri has quality players within his line-up to carry out this plan.
Initially pegged by pundits to struggle in his first season, Walter Mazzarri has performed admirably in 2016-17 as manager of Watford.