Claudio Ranieri has been sacked as Watford manager.© AFP
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri was sacked on Monday after just 14 games as leader of the Premier League fighters. Ranieri was hired in October to replace Xisco Munoz after the Spaniard’s resignation. But the 70-year-old Italian was unable to improve on Watford’s fortunes, with the Hornets taking just seven points during his brief reign. Just 112 days after his appointment, Ranieri paid the price for Watford’s fall back into the relegation zone after last week’s 3-0 loss to relegation rivals Norwich. “Watford Football Club confirm the departure of Head Coach Claudio Ranieri,” said a club statement.
Watford are second at the bottom of the table, two points from safety, having lost seven of their last eight league games.
They are winless in nine games in all competitions, their longest scoreless run since 2013.
Watford’s owners, the Pozzo family, felt they had to act now to give the team a chance in their battle to avoid relegation after last season’s promotion from the Championship.
“The Hornets’ Board recognizes Claudio as a man of great integrity and honor, who here at Vicarage Road will always be respected for his efforts to lead the team with dignity,” the statement said.
promoted
“However, the board believes that with nearly half of the Premier League campaign to go, a change in the position of Head Coach will give a new appointment sufficient time to work with a talented squad to achieve the immediate goal. of maintaining Premier League status.
“No further club comment will be made until this new appointment is confirmed in due course.”
Topics mentioned in this article
