FOREST Green have hit out at Watford for negotiating with manager Rob Edwards “behind our backs”.

Edwards led the club to the League Two title after an impressive campaign but is now set to succeed Roy Hodgson at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets’ relegation from the Premier League has already been confirmed with three games still to play before the end of the season.

Forest Green will face Wanderers next season but are now searching for a new boss as they prepare to make the step up to League One.

The club say they are “disappointed” and claim the incident “gives football a bad name”.

"Rob was a key part of the team that gained promotion to League One this season,” read an official statement.

"We’re disappointed that our support, loyalty and honesty towards Rob has been repaid in this way - with negotiations taking place behind our backs.

"We had no contact from Watford, from whom we might expect less, but in any event this kind of behaviour gives football a bad name.

"We thank Rob for all his work at FGR - forgive him the manner of his departure and wish him well."

Edwards shared a dressing room with Bolton chief Ian Evatt during his time at Blackpool as a player.

He took charge at Forest Green last summer following a spell as the England Under-16 Head Coach and also previously managed Wolves’ Under-23 side.

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