Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Mon 4 May 2026 17:00, UK

Ryan Mason could be in for a surprise return to management heading into next season as he is among the contenders to take charge at Watford.

The former midfielder lost his West Bromwich Albion job back in January, after a poor stint at the helm came to an abrupt end.

After an initially positive start, things would soon tail off for the Baggies, who found themselves in a subsequent relegation scrap.

Eric Ramsay would be the man to take his place, before Albion sunk even further.

Now, with West Brom’s place in the Championship secured by James Morrison, the man in charge at the start of the term has been linked with the vacant job at Watford.

Ryan Mason named as potential Watford candidate

Following a disappointing end to the season – including a 3-0 loss away at West Brom – Watford would announce the departure of boss Ed Still.

The fourth Hornets manager in a year, Still would leave the club after yet another disappointing season for the ruthless Vicarage Road club.

Now, with Watford in search of another new direction heading into the summer months, former Baggies boss Mason has been listed as one of the contenders by one leading bookmaker.

Of course, Mason’s managerial career is far from done, given his age, but Watford is most certainly not the job for him.

Mason is deemed the fifth favourite at this stage, behind Garcia Pimienta, Russell Martin, Marti Cifuentes and Scott Parker.

Mason could be destined for failure at Watford

There aren’t many, if any clubs as ruthless as the Hornets when it comes to the hiring and firing of managers.

The simple fact of the matter is that if you are not in the hunt for promotion, your job at Vicarage Road is at risk – even if the squad capabilities do not match that level.

Mason is someone looking to cut his teeth in the game, somewhere he can get across his ideas, and start a project – something he could not do at a club with instant promotion ambitions like West Brom.

After a poor spell in the Black Country, the former Tottenham and Hull man is looking to rebuild his managerial career.

Though, whether that can be done at Watford or not, is definitely a question to be asked as he lines up his options ahead of the summer.