Watford part company with manager

Last updated : 22 March 2005 By Michael Morris
So far this season 7 of the 12 teams in the bottom half of the table have sacked their manager.

There have been changes at Rotherham, Forest, Coventry, Gillingaham, Leicester, Wolves and today Watford.

Ray Lewington was relieved of his duties with Watford now looking for a new boss.

The official Watford website said

"Ray will also be remembered at Vicarage Road for taking Watford to two major cup semi-finals in three seasons.

"However, we have recently seen a slump in form at a key point in our season, with just one point being gained from our last four home matches in the Championship.

"In fact the team has recorded just 4 victories in 24 league matches since the beginning of November 2004.

"Given that we are currently 15th in the Championship table and just four points above the relegation zone, the Board of Directors are united in feeling that now is an appropriate time to act and make a change.

"The two-week break in Championship fixtures provides a good opportunity for the club to have a new manager in place before we travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday April 2 and the search for a new manager has already begun."

One name immediately linked is City's No.2 Terry Burton. He left Watford last autumn to work with Lennie Lawrence at Ninian Park.