Michail Antonio returns to English football in new triple role as career change outlined after car crash

Former West Ham forward Michail Antonio has returned to English football with Championship side Watford, signing a short-term contract.

Antonio was released by West Ham at the end of the 2024/25 season, with the club opting not to renew his contract. He had suffered a broken leg after being involved in a serious car crash in December 2024, but had returned to action with Jamaica at the point of his release.

The 35-year-old had a brief spell with Qatar Stars League side Al-Sailiya at the beginning of this year but has now come back to English football - where he will hold a triple role.

Antonio set for rarely-seen role at Watford

Watford announced Antonio's arrival on Friday, confirming he had signed a contract until the end of the season to play for the Hornets.

He is not yet fully fit but, according to the Watford Observer, could be named on the bench for Saturday's Championship clash against Stoke City at Vicarage Road.

It is reported that he is a month away from what is described as 'proper action', with the forward having been training with the Hornets first team squad since August.

But Antonio's move to Watford is far more significant than simply playing for the club.

His representatives, Golden Gate Group, have confirmed on Instagram that the Jamaica international will have the opportunity to 'continue his development as a coach' and will also support the club's existing first team coaching staff off the pitch.

Michail Antonio in action for Jamaica (Image: Getty)

The Hornets' latest head coach is Alessio Dionisi, with the Italian having become the 12th man to manage Watford since the end of the 2020/21 season after replacing Ed Still in the summer.

There is a familiar face for Antonio on the coaching staff, with former Hornets centre-back Adrian Mariappa now a first team coach. The pair were briefly international team-mates for Jamaica and played against each other while representing numerous clubs in the Premier League and Championship.

Watford are currently 12th in the Championship after two wins, two draws and two losses from their opening six matches. They came from behind to beat Preston North End 2-1 on Tuesday.

'I didn't sign the contract...' - Antonio turned down West Ham offer after car crash

Speaking to FourFourTwo in July, Antonio claimed that he was offered a contract of £5,000 per week to stay at West Ham as part of their U21 squad.

He claimed that Karren Brady, who was vice-chairman of West Ham before leaving her role earlier this year, gave him a blunt response when he asked why the figure was so low in comparison to other players.

"I said, 'How can you offer £5,000 a week and tell me to play for the under-21s, when the under-21s are on more than that and I've been at this club for 10 years?'

"Her response was, 'Well, they haven't been in a car crash and shattered their leg'. I was like, 'Oof, okay'. I didn't sign the contract."

Antonio said he had a falling out with then-Hammers manager Graham Potter over a segment on TNT Sports, where the striker spoke about how clubs in general deal with players who have suffered serious injuries.

"He said, 'I think it's best that you don't come back in here'," Antonio said. "I told him, 'Well I will be, because you guys have a duty of care to me and I know I'm allowed to be here, so I'll see you tomorrow'. From that day, we never spoke again."