'It's a big sign from Elton John' - Gino Pozzo’s Watford sale stance revealed
Watford owner Gino Pozzo has no plans to sell the Championship club any time soon, despite the fans’ growing anger towards him.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who expects the Italian chief to “fight through” the current discontent.
The Hornets’ ownership are under huge pressure amid a dismal start to the season, and supporters recently declared a loss of confidence in the club hierarchy.
Wyness believes that Watford have little value for Pozzo in their current state, and he expects him to hold out until they return to a more stable Championship position before he even contemplates a sale.
The Pozzo family have been at the helm at Vicarage Road since 2012, and have gained a major reputation for consistently sacking managers.
Current boss Alessio Dionisi has been under huge pressure of late, but eased some of that with a 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic last weekend.
Gino Pozzo won’t ‘walk away’ from Watford
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Pozzo will have no plans to “walk away” from Watford any time soon.
The fans protested against his reign ahead of their recent win over Charlton, but Wyness does not expect that to influence the owner’s stance at all.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he explained why a sale would have no value for Pozzo at the moment.
“I was surprised when I saw Elton John coming out voicing his dissatisfaction. That's a big sign from Elton to have done that,” Wyness said.
“Look, it's 14 years of fatigue for the Pozzo family as well. They've done some good things with Udinese and the whole situation. I don't see a sign of a sale at the sort of values being talked about given the form at present.
“Pozzo is somebody who would understand there's a value that he expects from the club, and he will fight it through and get the club back into some sort of shape to be able to command that sort of valuation.
“I don't think he's one that will walk away in any shape or form. He's going to fight it through and get it right. So, you know, he will hold until the value comes back.
“Watford obviously could become a real jewel in the crown in terms of what you could do with that club in that area. It's still very close to London, and it could become almost a London club in that sense.
“With the right investment, not just on the pitch but in terms of potential new stadiums and different things, there is an asset there, and I think that's what Pozzo understands.”
Championship clubs racing to sign Charlie McCann
Football Insider revealed earlier in October that Cheltenham midfielder Charlie McCann is being chased by a whole host of Championship and League One clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old already has eight goals and one assist to his name from just 12 games in League Two so far this season.
McCann is being tracked by several Championship clubs at the moment, who are regularly sending scouts to watch him amid a view that he could step up to the second tier.
The former Manchester United and Rangers academy product has quickly found his feet at Cheltenham, but it may not be long before he is on the move again.