Saturday’s opponents Watford have announced that head coach Gianfranco Zola has resigned after a run of nine games without a win.

The Hornets board has accepted the Italian’s resignation with “great sadness” with the club currently 13th in the Championship.

In an open letter to Watford fans, Zola wrote: “I feel that it is in the best interests of the team that somebody new is given the chance to bring the success which we have all hoped for and worked very hard for.

“It is for a variety of reasons, and not just over one matter or one moment, that I feel this is the right decision for me, in the best interests of the club - and I know I can trust you, the supporters, to respect my decision fully.”

The Blues will be looking to beat the Hornets at home for the first time in nearly 10 years at Portman Road on Saturday.

Watford were last defeated on Suffolk soil in March 2004 when Dean Bowditch netted a hat-trick and Jermaine Wright added a late fourth in a 4-1 win, Scott Fitzgerald scoring for the visitors.

Photo: Action Images

bluehayes added 16:52 - Dec 16 Was hoping saturday would be his last game..
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village_blue added 16:52 - Dec 16 As long as they don't want Mick McCarthy I don't care thought was a site for ITFC news.
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bgexile added 16:57 - Dec 16 @village_blue Don't you think it is of interest to us, as we play them on Sat?? I think Gav and Phil do a really great job! Xmas greetings to all
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NoCanariesAllowed added 16:59 - Dec 16 Felt this season's managerial merry-go-round had been relatively quiet until recently. What bothers me, and somewhat annoys me, is that most of the clubs that have sacked their managers in the past few weeks seems to have enjoyed improved form, which almost validates and vindicates the hire-and-fire culture. Rather hoping Watford don't enjoy any such immediate upturn in fortunes on Saturday, and history would suggest they hardly need it - it's not as if they have a bad record against us!

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Michael11 added 17:02 - Dec 16 This makes me quite nervy about Saturday. If the players loved Zola then they'll be gutted but if they didn't want him and that's why he's gone then we could be in for it. Don't like Watford, always tends to be our bogey side.
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TractorCam added 17:05 - Dec 16 I'm quite nervous about Saturday. You look at the fact they are on a 9 winless streak and without a manager, and then you realise we have beaten them once in 10 years!
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Fatboy added 17:19 - Dec 16 As long as they don't appoint a new manager prior to the game.
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AYACCA added 17:21 - Dec 16 i remember when we beat them 4-1, Wrights goal was a cracker. the keeper missed the ball Bryan Gunn style for one of Bowditchs goals
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NoCanariesAllowed added 17:26 - Dec 16 Re AYACCA - Lenny Pidgeley in goal for Watford that day if I remember rightly? Seem to recall he had a nightmare!
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ronnyd added 17:27 - Dec 16 Shame, not for Watford F.C. its self but for Zola himself. Was a great little player and seemed a genuine nice guy.
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essextractorboy93 added 17:43 - Dec 16 Not very unexpected but think we shouldn't fear them even if they appoint a new manager before the game. We should focus on ourselves and I'm confident we can get the three points! COYB!
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Gipeswic added 17:55 - Dec 16 Nice guy. He had a 44% win ratio which is far better than the average from memory. Also, scored with that fantastic flick for Chelsea against Norwich.
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Wickets added 18:06 - Dec 16 And scored against Town in the PREM.
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dirtyboy added 18:19 - Dec 16 Teams do have a tendency to win after sacking their managers don't they? Not to mention that streak without a win.....for a team like Watford, that has to end soon, you can bet your house that'll be against us! Gutted.
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Edinburgh_Blue added 18:49 - Dec 16 @village_blue. Go home. Your village is missing its idiot. This could make it interesting on Saturday. The shackles might be off for the Watford players if there was any discontent any with the manager.
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GFH added 18:52 - Dec 16 I have always liked Zola especially when he put in that spectacular goal against Norwich in the FA Cup,......however lets hope to kick Watford while there down I know it sounds nasty but everybody has done to us the past few seasons.
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bluemikey100 added 18:54 - Dec 16 ex watford manager was gud now cardiff not mentionin his name lol perhaps zola fancies himself as spurs boss hope we dont go 4 -nil up then half time their new manager enters dressin room lol remember mc claren and derby
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Stewart27 added 19:18 - Dec 16 Village_blue Village idiot
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alfromcol added 19:38 - Dec 16 Usual array of confident supporters on here!
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cooper4england added 19:42 - Dec 16 3 points for the blue army on saturday regardlees if they are managerless, new appointed or a big green bogey side.
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TimmyH added 20:51 - Dec 16 My God! everybody seems to be getting the sack or leaving at the moment, who ever steps in whether it be permanent or temporary hope he doesn't get of to a good start - I fear this might not be a good omen and particularly as Watford are our bogey team.
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jocasaja added 21:06 - Dec 16 I predict a 3-1 win with Stephen Hunt coming off the bench to play an influential part. Never liked Watford...always used to be a long ball ...time wasting bunch...but I have a lot of time for Zola..great time to put one over them COYB !!
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ian_marshall added 22:15 - Dec 16 Hi phil or gav, I see village blue has got 44 minuses is this a twtd record ?
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Marcus_Evans added 22:35 - Dec 16 Side has been recruited and built in Zola's image and a lot joined due to him. Can't see a very motivated team if they only have a caretaker manager in place
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itfc1981 added 22:37 - Dec 16 He was the only player to be a scale version of a corinthians figure
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