Mazzarri to leave Watford; will it be Ranieri next?

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season.

Italian Mazzarri will depart the Hornets after just one year in charge and with the club 16th in the Premier League table with one game remaining.

Watford announced that Mazzarri would be stepping down following a meeting with the club’s board on Wednesday afternoon.

Chairman Scott Duxbury issued the following statement on the club’s website:

“After the Board discussed with Walter Mazzarri the club’s future goals and aspirations, it was decided he will be stepping down from his position as the club’s Head Coach after the final game of the 2016/17 season.

“We thank Walter and his staff for the contribution they have made to Watford Football Club over the past year.”

A report in the Daily Mirror claims that Mazzarri ‘was deeply unpopular with the players who grew increasingly frustrated with his methods’.

Early names in the frame to replace Mazzarri are sacked Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri and Hull City boss Marco Silva.