The Bittersweet Taste of Premier League Promotion
When the final whistle blew at Vicarage Road in April 2021, Xisco Muñoz closed his eyes—not in pure elation, but with conflicting emotions. His Watford side had just secured promotion to the Premier League after eight consecutive home wins, yet the Spanish manager knew this triumph marked both an ending and a beginning.
“I felt happiness, of course, but also sadness,” Muñoz reveals in an exclusive interview with Mostplay. “That team could adapt to any tactical challenge—transition play, low blocks, high presses. We were complete. But I knew everything would reset in the Premier League, where the competition is ruthless.”
Xisco Muñoz and Watford players revel in their 2021 Championship promotion—a fleeting high before Premier League turbulence.
The Watford Rollercoaster: Triumph and Sudden Exit
Seven games into the 2021/22 Premier League season, Watford sat 14th with seven points—a respectable position for a newly promoted side. Yet, Muñoz was dismissed, replaced by Claudio Ranieri, who lasted just three months. Watford’s eventual relegation under Roy Hodgson saw them win fewer games than they had under Muñoz’s brief tenure.
“The day I was sacked, it was a day off—but I was at the training ground by 8 AM,” Muñoz recalls. “Cristiano Giaretta [Watford’s sporting director] met me there because he knew I’d be working. The decision surprised me, but in football, you learn to accept it.”
Lessons from Rafa Benitez: The Foundation of Muñoz’s Philosophy
Muñoz’s tactical identity was forged under Rafa Benítez at Valencia, where he won La Liga in 2004 against a Galácticos-era Real Madrid. “They had Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo—we had to beat them with teamwork, organization, and relentless focus,” he says. “Rafa taught me that detail separates good coaches from great ones.”
This philosophy shaped his approach at Watford, particularly in maximizing Ismaila Sarr’s explosiveness. “We engineered situations where Sarr could attack space. Against Millwall, that plan won us promotion.”
Ismaila Sarr’s match-winning brilliance epitomized Muñoz’s tactical mastery at Watford.
The Unfinished Project: Muñoz’s Hunger for a Championship Return
Now 43 and awaiting resolution after a turbulent stint with Cyprus’s Anorthosis (cut short by an ownership change), Muñoz is preparing for his next challenge. “England is my priority,” he asserts. “The Championship’s intensity, the fine margins—that’s where I thrive.”
His message to potential suitors? “I’ve shown I can build cohesive, adaptable teams. Give me a project, and I’ll deliver results.”
Mostplay Verdict: A Manager Ready for Redemption
Xisco Muñoz’s story is one of unfulfilled potential. His Watford tenure proved his tactical acumen, but the Premier League’s impatience cut his vision short. Now, as he eyes a Championship return, the question isn’t whether he’ll succeed—it’s which club will smartly bet on him.
What’s next for Xisco Muñoz? Share your thoughts below and follow Mostplay for more in-depth football analysis!
