Former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is set to succeed Claudio Ranieri as Watford’s new manager, according to reports this evening.

The Hornets are hoping that the 74 year-old can repeat his heroics from his tenure at Craven Cottage and Crystal Palace and keep Watford, who are currently nineteenth in the Premier League, in the top flight. The former England boss has been out of work since leaving Selhurst Park last summer. His long-time lieutenant, Ray Lewington, also an ex-Fulham manager, has a long history with the Vicarage Road club.

Hodgson famously rescued Fulham from a precarious position in their Great Escape in 2008 – going on to lead the Whites to a club record seventh-placed finish and the Europa League final two years later.