Watford sack Nigel Pearson in midst of relegation battle

Nigel Pearson has been sacked as Watford manager, seven months after taking over the team at the bottom of the Premier League table and having guided them to the verge of an unlikely escape with two games to play. Watford will replace Nigel Pearson for the final two games of the season, according to the reports.

The 56-year-old was informed he would be leaving Vicarage Road by the Hornets’ technical director Filippo Giraldi on Sunday.

Watford is 17th in the Premier League, three points above the relegation zone, ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Manchester City.

Assistant Craig Shakespeare is also expected to depart, with the club yet to confirm their decision.

Pearson took over from Quique Sanchez Flores, who lasted just three months, and became Watford’s third manager of the season after the September dismissal of Javi Gracia.

He was appointed in December, when the Hornets were bottom of the table, and won seven of his 23 games.

Watford also travels to Arsenal on the final day of the season and have survival in their own hands ahead of the final week.

Back-to-back wins over Norwich and Newcastle gave them breathing space over the bottom three but the Hornets suffered a 3-1 defeat at relegation rivals, West Ham, on Friday.

Speaking after the defeat to the Hammers, Pearson said: “We know that (we have the toughest run-in) but we have to cope with it.

“I can’t waste time thinking about what everyone else will do. It comes back to bite you where you don’t want to be bitten.”

One of the lead favorites for the open Blues role following Pep Clotet's departure - Chris Hughton - has emerged as the early favorite to succeed Pearson.

Should Hughton take the Vicarage Road job, Blues will lose a leading candidate.

However, Huddersfield will have provided another thanks to their own decision to part ways with Danny Cowley earlier today.

It remains to be seen what Blues' management will do as the Championship season draws to a close.