London (AP) – According to consistent reports in the English media, FC Watford has parted ways with coach Claudio Ranieri after only 16 weeks. There was initially no official confirmation from the penultimate table in the Premier League.
Ranieri was only signed in early October 2021. Under Leicester’s former champions coach, Watford had only managed seven points. The team won 5-2 at Everton FC and celebrated a spectacular 4-1 home win over Manchester United in November.
After the surprise success, the Hornets did not win a league game with the Italian coach and only scored a single point in a draw against Newcastle United, who were also in danger of relegation. Most recently, on Friday, Watford lost 3-0 at home to Norwich City, another direct competitor in the fight for relegation.
This is the second time the club from near London has to look for a coach this season. Ranieri’s predecessor, the Spaniard Xisco Munoz, had taken over Watford FC in the second-tier Championship ten months earlier and led to promotion to the Premier League. There he only picked up seven points in seven games – as many as Ranieri in 13 games.