LONDON, ENGLAND: Watford FC have sacked head coach Claudio Ranieri after just over three months in charge, the Premier League club announced on Monday evening. The relegation-threatened club said it has now started the search for a replacement as the league goes into a two-week international break.
Ranieri’s dismissal follows a dismal 3-0 defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Norwich City on Friday night, which leaves Watford in 18th, just three points off the foot of the table.
Watford will now seek to appoint a third permanent head coach of the season, after Xisco Munoz was relieved of his duties by owner Gino Pozzo on October 3, with the Hertfordshire club then 14th in the league.
Ranieri in his three and half months spell at Watford only managed to win seven points during his time in charge, the highlight of which was a 4-1 victory over Manchester United at Vicarage Road in November.
Since then, Watford have only managed a single point coming in a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Newcastle on January 15, the rest being defeats.
The Italian’s departure brings an end to his fourth spell in English football, after previously managing Chelsea, Leicester City, and Fulham.
The greatest achievement in Ranieri’s managerial career came in the 2015-16 season when he led Leicester to the Premier League title after the club were favorites for relegation at the beginning of the campaign.
But no such miracles occurred this time around.
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