Forest Green furious as Watford appoint Rob Edwards as manager

Watford have appointed the Forest Green Rovers manager, Rob Edwards, as Roy Hodgson’s successor. Confirmation came after the League Two champions expressed disappointment that negotiations had been held “behind our backs” and said Edwards had left.

Watford identified Edwards, who guided Rovers to the title in his first season as a Football League manager, as an ideal successor to Hodgson, who will leave at the end of this campaign.

Related: Forest Green Rovers’ electric ambition fuels promotion to League One | Ben Fisher

A young homegrown coach marks a significant change in the type of appointment Watford’s owners, the Pozzo family, have typically made and Edwards becomes the club’s ninth permanent manager in five years.

“Rob was a key part of the team that gained promotion to League One this season,” a Forest Green statement said. “We’re disappointed that our support, loyalty and honesty towards Rob has been repaid in this way – with negotiations taking place behind our backs. We had no contact from Watford, from whom we might expect less, but in any event this kind of behaviour gives football a bad name. We thank Rob for all his work at FGR – forgive him the manner of his departure and wish him well.”

Video: Ally McCoist Is Desperate For A Europa League Final Ticket (Daily Record)

The Road To Seville - Rangers In Europa League Final

Ange Postecoglou - Celtic career in pictures

Celtic v Rangers - Season in numbers

Celtic - Latest News From Parkhead

Giovanni van Bronckhorst ready to prepare as normal for Eintracht Frankfurt final

Rangers - Latest News From Ibrox

Dundee United v Celtic - Scottish Premiership preview

Ally McCoist celebrates in TV gantry as Rangers reach Europa League final

Forest Green’s chairman, Dale