It has been announced that Watford manager Walter Mazzarri will leave his post at Vicarage Road following Sunday’s final game of the season against Manchester City.

The Italian was appointed in July 2016 but a poor season has ended with five consecutive losses despite guaranteeing Premier League safety.

The Hornets are six points above the bottom three going into the final round of fixtures, but a 29.7% win record in the league this season has meant Mazzarri will leave his post after less than a year.

In a statement on their club website, 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.”

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

The departure of the 55-year-old means Watford will be looking for their ninth manager in just five years and their eighth since the arrival of the Pozzo Family as owners.

Bookmakers have installed former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri as the early favourite to take over at Vicarage Road with the Premier League winner leading a pack filled with Hull City’s Marco Silva, Alan Pardew and Nigel Pearson as potential candidates.

Written by Kyle Dixon (@kyledixon95)