Pearson parts ways with Watford

Watford have sacked manager Nigel Pearson with the Hornets sitting three points above the relegation zone with two top flight fixtures still to play. 

The former Leicester boss is the third manager sacked by the club in 2019/20 after the dismissals of Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores.

Under-23 coach Hayden Mullins will now take charge for the rest of the season with Graham Stack as his assistant.

Appointed in December on a deal until the end of the season, Pearson had an impact at Vicarage Road and won seven matches in the Premier League - including a fine victory over runaway champions Liverpool.

However, the Hornets were rolled over 3-1 at West Ham on Friday and the axe has been swung with games against Man City and Arsenal on the horizon. Whoever replaces Pearson permanently will become the Hornets' 13th such appointment since Sean Dyche took the reins nine years ago.