Claudio Ranieri SACKED by Watford after Norwich City loss as Italian lasts just 112 days in charge following 11 defeats in 14 games

Claudio Ranieri has been sacked by Watford as their manager less than four months into the job.

Ranieri was sacked on Monday afternoon as the Hornets look to regroup going into the winter break.

The final straw for the Italian was Friday night’s harrowing 3-0 home defeat by Norwich City – a result that saw their relegation rivals leapfrog above them in the Premier League table.

Ranieri leaves Watford in 19th in the Premier League with 14 points, two points adrift of Norwich who sit 17th – although the former have two games in hand.

He is the eighth Premier League manager sacked this campaign.

Watford’s statement

Watford Football Club confirms the departure of Head Coach Claudio Ranieri.

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.

Third time lucky for Watford?

The 70-year-old was the Hertfordshire outfit’s second manager this season following the dismissal of Xisco Munoz at the beginning of October.

Ranieri arrived at Vicarage Road with the club 14th – having taken seven points from their first seven games of the season.

However, a dire run of form has seen the Hornets lose 11 of their 14 matches under his tutelage.

The search is now on for Watford’s third manager of the season under the Pozzo family.