NIGEL PEARSON has revealed he contracted Covid-19 during his final months as Watford boss.
The 57-year-old was sacked by the Hornets – who issued a brutal 12-word announcement – in July, two games before they were relegated from the Premier League.
Nigel Pearson fumed at the way things ended with Watford and revealed his secret Covid battleCredit: Reuters
Pearson slammed the short club statement confirming his exit and claimed players knew about his departure before he did.
He told The Times: “There was no recognition that I’d even been there really!
“I just felt that was disrespectful bearing in mind I worked with being pretty ill and I lost my mum in January and didn’t miss a beat really in terms of how I worked.
“The thing that really disappoints me is some of the players knew before me. Some of the staff knew before I did.
“I’d put a lot of commitment and hard work into my job.”
The thing that really disappoints me is some of the players knew before me. Some of the staff knew before I did.”
Nigel Pearson
The former Leicester manager says he caught coronavirus in March but started to ‘deteriorate’ during the summer with swollen joints and a shortness of breath.
He added: “My immune system was affected to such an extent that my heartbeat became irregular, my resting pulse became very, very high.
“I developed the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
“To work through that was a challenge. I was able to do it without too many people being aware which was good.”
Despite the way things ended in Hertfordshire, Pearson says he isn’t bitter and wants to get back into management as ‘the fire’s still there’.
He explained: “I was very angry but I got over it relatively quickly. I don’t feel bitter. It hasn’t scarred me at all.”
When asked about his future, Pearson replied: “Yes, to manage. Yes, to be a sporting director. I’ll go back and assist somebody if they want. The fire’s still there.”
Watford manager Nigel Pearson says government are pushing to restart Premier League to ‘ease the pressure from them somewhat’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
