Ranieri arrives at Watford training ground to take over as manager
Claudio Ranieri has arrived at Watford’s training ground to take over as manager.
The Hornets sacked Spanish boss Xisco Munoz after less than ten months in charge on Sunday after winning two of their opening seven games in the Premier League this season.
Claudio Ranieri has arrived at Watford’s training ground to seal his deal to become their new manager.
And Ranieri, 69, is now back in England for what would be his FOURTH top-flight club.
The Italian coach was spotted being driven to Watford’s training ground in the back of a black Range Rover on Monday morning as he prepares to sign a contract with the club.
Ranieri was most recently at Serie A side Sampdoria until he stepped down this summer, and was approached by several sides in his native country.
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But he has always wanted to return to the Prem – and now he appears to have his chance having previously coached Chelsea, Fulham and Leicester.
The latter saw him defy the odds and turn the Foxes – tipped for relegation – into Premier League champions in 2016.
He is set to take over a Watford side currently in 15th but just three points off the top ten after a mixed start to the season.
Munoz – who took over in December 2020 and guided them to automatic promotion from the Championship last season – oversaw wins against Aston Villa and Norwich.
But two poor displays against Newcastle and Leeds convinced the club’s trigger-happy owners – the Pozzo family – to take swift action.
Watford’s first game after the international break will be at home to title-chasing Liverpool in what would be a real baptism of fire for Ranieri.