NIGEL PEARSON has been sacked by Watford in a decision that has left the players stunned.
The Hornets have just two matches left this season and are still in danger of getting relegated.
But Friday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham infuriated club chiefs.
And now they have acted by axing Pearson just eight months after appointing him.
SunSport understands the decision has not gone down well with the Hornets squad, who were informed of the news before training this afternoon.
His assistant Craig Shakespeare has also been sacked.
Some reports claim Hayden Mullins and Graham Stack will take charge for final two games of the campaign.
However, it is understood Watford are close to naming a permanent replacement.
Pearson only took charge of the club in December – staggeringly Watford’s third manager of the season.
The Vicarage Road outfit were bottom of the league but he has led them rise up the table before a miserable run of results dragged them right back into trouble.
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The defeat against fellow strugglers West Ham helped the Hammers open up a three-point margin over the Hornets.
The clash was a crunch one for Pearson and his side in their fight for survival with their final two games coming against Manchester City at home and an away trip to Arsenal.
Watford sit three points above Bournemouth and Aston Villa in the drop zone.
