Nigel Pearson has been sacked as Watford head coach with two games remaining in the season, as the club looks to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The former Derby and Leicester boss replaced Quique Sanchez Flores in December with Watford nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.
The 56-year-old immediately oversaw a run of four wins in his first seven matches – including Liverpool’s first defeat of the season.
However, the Hornets have only recorded two wins since the restart with Friday night’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham meaning they sit just one place and three points above the drop zone.
That result leaves Watford now needing a win against either Manchester City or Arsenal to be certain of avoiding relegation.
Pearson’s assistant Craig Shakespeare has also been dismissed with it remaining unclear who will take charge of the side’s final two games.