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

Lennyboy added 22:38 - Dec 16 I feel confident about a good town win Saturday 3 - 1. With regards Zola, I think he may be the next Tottenham boss. Ladbrookes has him at 8-1, I would say its more like evans. AVB gets the chop at the same time Zola resigns. What do you think????? Anyway.......COYB!!!!!
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bigolconnor added 08:02 - Dec 17 This is great news. In the last few seasons, when we have come up against teams on a crappy run, we have changed the poor fortune. You know so and so FC haven't won or scored in 20 games, play ipswich away and win 8-0. That kind of thing. But a manager less team is far less likely to do this. You have to remember that derby didn't win the game.
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SouperJim added 08:37 - Dec 17 Lenny save your money, I doubt Spurs will turn to a manager who has just "failed" at a Championship club.
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brittaniaman added 08:48 - Dec 17 Just another team whose manager has gone just before we play them !!! Remember the Derby game a few weeks ago ??????? the one we will never forget !!!!
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BlueBadger added 09:48 - Dec 17 Apparently Mick McCarthy is the favourite for this job. Well, he's never declared that he's NOT interested in the ob….
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itsonlyme added 10:18 - Dec 17 No worries. A poor team for most of the season ain't suddenly going to become very good in the short time Zola has gone. Prediction 2-0 to town. COYB
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TimmyH added 11:35 - Dec 17 @brittaniaman - exactly! even if a temporary coach comes in it's a change and as we all know what we're like against Watford. @itsonlyme - that's very naive to think that, it's the Championship and anybody can beat anybody, if you look at the Watford team they are only short of Vydra and the odd other player that got them into the play-offs, they have the potential to get back on track and how many teams in this league go on a bad run of not winning in 9? that will soon come to a halt - hopefully not against us!

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itsonlyme added 14:06 - Dec 17 TimmyH I know what you are saying but if they are only 1 man short of last year how come they are so bad.
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Skip73 added 17:07 - Dec 17 FFS! How many times do teams get rid of their managers before they play us. That's twice this season already! Not to mention other seasons as well.
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itfchorry added 19:02 - Dec 17 Pay back time on Saturday -
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