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ROY'S RETURN
Roy Hodgson ‘set to take over as Watford manager from sacked Claudio Ranieri with announcement imminent’
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ROY HODGSON is reportedly set for a stunning return to football to replace sacked Watford boss Claudio Ranieri at Vicarage Road.
The Italian gaffer, 70, was axed by the Hornets on Monday following the club's 3-0 home defeat against Norwich.
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The result leaves Watford in 19th spot in the Premier League after losing seven out of their last eight top-flight matches.
Ranieri was given a two-year contract when he replaced Xisco Munoz in October, but has swiftly had his contract terminated having won just two out of 14 games in charge.
And according to the , Watford are now poised to bring in another veteran manager.
They claim that they are closing in on the appointment of former England boss Hodgson, who has been out of a job since departing Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
The news outlet states that the Watford players and club staff are already aware of his imminent arrival.
It has even been said that only the final bits of paperwork are left to be completed with an official announcement on his return to the game expected in the next 24 hours.
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Hodgson was only contacted by Watford on Monday to find out whether he would be interest in the vacant job.
And talks have since accelerated about him returning to the dugout at the age of 74.
Should he succeed Ranieri, he will have until February 5 to sort out a game plan for the crucial six-pointer against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Watford declared they wielded the axe on Ranieri to give the next manager a sufficient amount of time to prepare for the Clarets clash.
A read: "Watford Football Club confirms the departure of Head Coach Claudio Ranieri.
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"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."
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