Last updated on .From the section Football

Former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been confirmed as the new manager of Championship side Watford.

The 45-year-old has signed a two-year deal to replace Sean Dyche, who was sacked by new owners the Pozzo family.

Zola was in charge of West Ham from 2008-2010 after an illustrious playing career in which he made over 300 appearances for Chelsea.

Zola's West Ham record Managed West Ham from September 2008 until May 2010

Was in charge for 80 games, winning 23, losing 36 and drawing 21

Led the Hammers to a ninth-place finish in the 2008-09 campaign before finishing the 2009-10 season 17th, five points clear of relegation

He is the second Italian to manage Watford, Gianluca Vialli having been in charge for the 2001-02 season.

The Pozzos, who also own Italian Serie A side Udinese and Spanish club Granada, were quick to open negotiations with Zola after completing a deal last Friday to buy the Hornets.

Watford's newly-appointed technical director Gianluca Nani told the club website: "Everyone knows how Gianfranco Zola likes football to be played.

"I think Watford's fans can expect an exciting and attacking style from his team. Gianfranco represents this project perfectly."

Former West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury was involved in setting up the deal and will join the staff at Vicarage Road in the same role after having a close working relationship with Zola at Upton Park.

The Pozzos have already outlined a double ambition of taking the club back to the Premier League and making the Hornets financially self-sufficient.

They also plan to use what they describe as their "world-class scouting network" to bring new talent to the club, but insist they will not harm Watford's distinctive identity.

It followed concerns recently expressed by the Watford Supporters' Trust that the club could be used as a platform to give experience to Italian youngsters.