Claudio Ranieri was sacked on Monday after just over three months in charge; Watford dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season after Friday's loss to Norwich; Roy Hodgson is available after leaving Crystal Palace and could start work at Vicarage Road early this week
Tuesday 25 January 2022 09:09, UK
Watford are close to appointing Roy Hodgson as their new head coach after sacking Claudio Ranieri on Monday.
A deal for the former Liverpool, England and Crystal Palace boss is thought to be imminent, and he could begin work as early as Tuesday.
Hodgson has been out of work since leaving Palace at the end of last season.
Ranieri was dismissed after just over three months in charge, with Watford lying 19th in the Premier League.
Ranieri had failed to turn around the team's fortunes since being appointed in October, with the Hornets dropping into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time this season after Friday's 3-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Norwich.
Asked about his future after the loss to the Canaries, the former Leicester and Chelsea manager said: "I don't go away. I want to continue because I am a fighter. I've never given up in my career."
Under Ranieri, Watford lost seven of their last eight league matches. Their most recent victory was the 4-1 defeat of Manchester United in November at Vicarage Road.
In a statement confirming Ranieri's departure on Monday evening, Watford said: "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 replaced Xisco Munoz, who took charge of Watford's first seven Premier League matches during this campaign, winning two and losing four. Munoz had overseen the Hornets' promotion to the top flight last season.
Ranieri's first match in charge was the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool at home on October 16, but he recorded his first win in his next game - a 5-2 victory at Everton.
But the 4-1 win over United proved to be Ranieri's second and final victory as Watford manager. He lost 11 of his 14 matches in charge.
Ranieri's departure means Watford have now sacked five head coaches since the exit of Javi Gracia in September 2019.
Quique Sanchez Flores, Nigel Pearson, Vladimir Ivic, Munoz and Ranieri have all left the club during that 28-month period, while Hayden Mullins has also had two spells as caretaker in that time.
If appointed, Hodgson will become the Pozzo family's 15th permanent manager since they completed their takeover of Watford in June 2012.
Watford travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday, February 5 at 6pm in their re-arranged fixture.
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