Watford sack Claudio Ranieri after three months amid threat of relegation

Watford have sacked Claudio Ranieri after just three months with the Hornets in the bottom three.

The home defeat against relegation rivals Norwich City on Friday night proved to be the final straw for the Italian.

Watford were promoted back to the top flight last term and are attempting to retain their Premier League status.

They have now axed Ranieiri and the Hornets' hierarchy will now be looking for a third manager of the season having already axed Xisco in October.

A club statement read: "Watford Football Club confirms the departure of Head Coach Claudio Ranieri.

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"The Hornets' Board recognises Claudio as a man of great integrity and honour, who will always be respected here at Vicarage Road for his efforts in leading the team with dignity.

"However the Board feels that, with nearly half of the Premier League campaign remaining, a change in the Head Coach position now will give a new appointment sufficient time to work with a talented squad to achieve the immediate goal of retaining Premier League status.

"No further club comment will be made until this new appointment is confirmed in due course."

Ranieri lost ten of his 13 games in charge with his only wins coming against Everton and Manchester United.

Speaking after the 3-0 defeat by the Canaries, Ranieri seemed to suggest he would remain in charge, insisting he was in constant contact with the Vicarage Road board.

He said: "I want to say sorry to our fans because we wanted to do something better. We asked the players to light the fire and we can't lose this match, but after the goal we disappeared.

"I believe in my reaction and the players' reaction. It is not possible to continue in this way because this way we go straight into the Championship. I want the players with heart and mentality who play for the team.

"I speak every day with the board and we are all together. I believe in these players, the players who want to believe. Who doesn't want to believe - go home."

The Italian has now lasted less than a year in all but one of his five managerial stints since leading Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016.

Ranieri added: I" have to choose the players that want to fight hard for Watford. You have to play 11 v 11.

"The new players played very well and understand my philosophy. Some players don't want to understand my philosophy - I want to play straight away, no dribble dribble, shoot straight away.

"We have to react immediately. I'm calm and want to react - me and my players. I have the passion, I want players with the heart and to think about what is Watford for the people of Watford."

Asked if he still felt he could turn around the Hornets' fortunes, Ranieri told reporters on Friday: "Yes I'm very confident."

Watford next manager odds

Fabio Cannavaro: 2/1

Frank Lampard: 4/1

Paulo Fonseca: 6/1

Daniel Farke: 8/1

Scott Parker: 9/1

Rafe Benitez: 11/1

Mark Hughes: 14/1

Graham Potter: 25/1

Odds courtesy of Betfair