Watford appoint Roy Hodgson as new their boss on a six-month deal – as he becomes the Hornets’ third manager this season

Watford have announced the appointment of Roy Hodgson as their new manager.

The former England boss will be joined at Vicarage Road by assistant Ray Lewington, who managed the Hornets from 2002 until 2005.

Watford, who sit in the Premier League relegation zone, sacked Claudio Ranieri on Monday after only 16 weeks in charge following a nine-game run without a win.

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.

Another managerial change at Vicarage Road

Hodgson is the Hornets’ 15th permanent manager in the last 10 years.

Former England boss Hodgson inherits a relegation-threatened team sitting 19th in the table, two points from safety ahead of trip to bottom side Burnley on February 5.

Hodgson returns to management having left Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

Ranieri was shown the door in the wake of Friday night’s 3-0 home defeat by fellow relegation candidates Norwich.

Hodgson previously worked for the Pozzo family, owners of Watford, during a short stint as Udinese boss in 2001.

The Hornets are the sixth Premier League club he has managed following spells with Blackburn, Fulham, West Brom, Liverpool and boyhood club Palace.

Hodgson also managed England at European Championships in 2012 and 2016 and at the 2014 World Cup.