WATFORD fans will be hoping Roy Hodgson and club mascot Harry the Hornet can work out their differences as the veteran gaffer closes in on being appointed.
The 74-year-old is set to replace Claudio Ranieri at Vicarage Road after the Italian boss was sacked on Monday due to poor form.
The man behind Watford FC's Harry the Hornet has retired! Here's a throwback to his most famous moment in 2016
Where he left Wilfried Zaha FUMING after diving in front of him
pic.twitter.com/kjjRUsWHM1
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) September 14, 2018
And the Hornets are believed to have turned to Hodgson, who has been out of a job since departing Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
It has been claimed that the ex-England manager could be officially announced as Watford‘s new boss within the next 24 hours.
But Hodgson will have to repair his relationship with Harry the Hornet after he labelled the mascot as ‘disgraceful’ in 2018.
Though since his outburst, Gareth Evans called time on his stint in the suit after ten years of service.
Hodgson berated Harry for mocking winger Wilfried Zaha during a December 2016 clash where the mascot provoked the Ivory Coast international by diving in front of him.
He said: “You ask me if Harry the Hornet should dive in that way. I think it’s disgraceful.
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“That’s not what football matches are about. And certainly if it’s provoking the crowd into looking for something that isn’t there it should be stopped.
“Wilf Zaha does not dive, sometimes he gets knocked over or unbalanced without it necessarily being a foul or a penalty because he runs at such speed and has got such agility with the ball.
“But he certainly doesn’t dive. But unfortunately teams try to take every advantage they can.”
Before adding: “I would be very disappointed if the Palace mascot was doing something like that to provoke the crowd against an opponent.
“And if I found out about it, I would stop it.”
Harry then risked the wrath of Hodgson just days after his comments as Watford beat Palace 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Ignoring Hodgson’s criticism, Harry threw himself to the ground and dived in front of the gleeful Watford fans following the full-time whistle.
Shortly after than encounter, Evans announced he would be leaving his role as being mascot Harry.
Taking to social media, he tweeted: “I have officially stepped away from being the Match Day Mascot at Watford my decision, proud of what I have achieved, the memories made and the experiences I’ve had.
“I was privileged and now heavy hearted also. Love you Harry!
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