Claudio Ranieri favourite to become next Watford manager after Hornets sack Walter Mazzarri
Hull boss Marco Silva, Alan Pardew and Nigel Pearson also in the running
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CLAUDIO RANIERI has been named as the bookies' favourite to take over at Watford.
The Hornets sacked Walter Mazzarri on Wednesday after a disappointing season with the Italian in charge.
Italian manager Ranieri, 65, has been out of work since February - he was sacked just NINE MONTHS after leading Leicester City to an unprecedented Premier League title.
Watford announced that Mazzarri will leave the Hertfordshire club at the end of the season.
The club have slid down the table after five straight defeats capped the end of a listless season.
SunBets have Ranieri at 5/4 with Alan Pardew and Marco Silva both at 8/1.
Slavisa Jokanovic (12/1) and Aitor Karanka and Roy Hodgson are also in the running (both 14/1).
The chain-smoking Italian has come under fire from fans for his negative brand of football and failure to learn any English.
A statement from Watford chairman Scott Duxbury said: "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.
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"We thank Walter and his staff for the contribution they have made to Watford Football Club over the past year."
Also in the running are Hull City boss Marco Silva and former Crystal Palace and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.
Silva has impressed since arriving in England, but the club were eventually relegated last weekend.
Pardew, once a candidate for the England manager's job, was sacked by the Eagles just before Christmas after a terrible start to the season.
Leeds boss Garry Monk and former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson are also at short odds for the role.
Longer shots include Chris Hughton and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.