It never rains but it pours: Watford have been in terrible form since December

Watford have dismissed Marco Silva as head coach and blamed an approach from Everton for their head coach’s services in November for their present struggles.

Watford’s form has nosedived since the Premier League club rejected an offer of £15 million from Everton to release the Portuguese from his contract. It has led the club’s Italian owners to act after becoming concerned about relegation to the Championship during a run of one win in their past 11 games. They are tenth in the league, only five points above the relegation zone after losing 2-0 to Leicester City on Saturday.

“The Club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for