Watford were interested in making Hein Vanhaezebrouck their new manager in the summer before settling on Vladimir Ivic.
That’s according to Het Laatste Nieuws, who say the Belgian boss, who has recently returned to Ghent, was on the Hornets shortlist.
Watford, of course, were on the hunt for a new manager this summer after the sacking of Nigel Pearson towards the end of last season.
Several names were linked with the vacant position, but they eventually settled on former Maccabi Tel Aviv manager Ivic, who signed a one year deal with the club.
It’s a move that’s worked out well so far, with Watford currently seventh in the Championship and just four points off first.
Things could have been very different, though, with HLN reporting that they ‘called’ Vanhaezebrouck, who has a link with the club via agent Mogi Bayat, about the position.
Ultimately a move did not happen, but Vanhaezebrouck was seemingly keen on the move, having made it clear he ‘wanted a foreign adventure’.
He, though, had to turn down any advances, telling Watford and other suitors such as PAOK, Malmo and Reims that he had been told to rest until the new year and could not return until then.
He’s broken that somewhat with a premature return to Ghent but only with the permission of his doctor, leaving the likes of Watford to wonder what may have been.
