FOREST Green have confirmed the departure of head coach Rob Edwards, who is taking over at Watford following the end of this season.

Edwards helped guide Rovers to the League Two title, finishing ahead of Exeter on goal difference.

However, on Wednesday afternoon the club confirmed Edwards had left his position "with negotiations taking place behind our backs" over a switch to Watford, where Roy Hodgson will stand down at the end of the Premier League campaign.

A statement from the Gloucestershire club read: "FGR confirms the departure of head coach Rob Edwards.

"Rob was a key part of the team that gained promotion to League One this season.

"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."

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince was left less than impressed by the developments, revealing he had called Edwards on Tuesday evening as speculation mounted.

"As soon as he started speaking, I knew that it was real," Vince told Sky Sports News.

"(He told me) that he had been in negotiations (with Watford) and felt it was a great opportunity for him.

"Overwhelmingly for me the feeling was disappointment, because in football people come and go all of the time. The important thing is the manner of it.

"I wish him well, but it is poor from Watford, who claim to be starting a new era, and it is poor from Rob as well.

"He has let us down, but he knows it, so there it is, and we will move on."

Vince stressed Rovers should have been approached by Watford initially, so negotiations could commence in the proper manner.

"Watford advised Rob not to tell us specifically, so for me that doubles down on the deceit," Vince told Sky Sports News.

"It is the kind of thing which gives football a bad name and the kind of thing which shouldn't happen but occasionally does."

Rovers will now begin their own search to replace Edwards, who took over at the club during the summer of 2021.