Watford SACK Marco Silva and blame Everton for 'unwarranted approach' for manager that led to 'significant deterioration in focus and results'... as Javi Gracia leads the race to take over

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Watford have sacked Marco Silva and have blamed Everton's 'unwarranted approach' for him for derailing their season.

The Portuguese boss had been doing a sturdy job with Watford sat in eighth position after 13 games in the league and just four points off the top four. 

But Watford have now decided to take the action to dismiss Silva after one victory in their last 11 Premier League games - the worst form of any side in the league - has seen them dragged into the relegation mix.

Watford have sacked Marco Silva and said Everton's approach for him was 'the catalyst' for it

The Portuguese boss had overseen just one victory in their last 11 Premier League fixtures

Javi Gracia is emerging as a leading candidate to be appointed Silva's successor at Vicarage Road.

Gracia, a former Malaga boss, is out of work after leaving Russian side Rubin Kazan last year.

Watford have not held talks with anyone yet but are seeking to make a swift appointment.

Derby manager Gary Rowett would also have been high on Watford's shortlist but recently signed a new contract at Pride Park and plans to be in the Premier League with them next season. 

Watford owners the Pozzo family never regained their trust in Silva after he was so publicly courted by Premier League rivals Everton for their managerial role following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman back in October.

Watford sent Everton a cease and desist letter a month later after they made several approaches to lure their manager away to replace the sacked Koeman at Goodison Park.

Former Rubin Kazan boss Javi Gracia is a leading candidate to be appointed Silva's successor

The advances did stop but unfortunately for Silva, so too did the results. A 4-2 defeat against Manchester United at the end of November sparked a torrid run in which they have collected just five points in the league since.

Silva, who only joined Watford in May last year after impressing in his brief spell in charge of Hull, becomes the eighth manager to be sacked by the Pozzo family in six years.

The club have called Everton's approach for Silva 'the catalyst' for this decision and for their horrific run of form.

A statement from the club read: 'Watford Football Club has parted company with Marco Silva. This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly.

The board made the decision after Leicester beat them 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday

Riyad Mahrez scored in the win which leaves Watford in tenth and six points above relegation

'The club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for his services we would have continued to prosper under his leadership. 

'The catalyst for this decision is that unwarranted approach, something which the board believes has seen a significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised. 

'For the security and success of the football club, the board believes it has to make a change. The club will seek to make a swift appointment and there will be no further comment until that appointment has been made.'

The board made the decision after watching Watford lose 2-0 at the King Power Stadium against Leicester on Saturday.

After that defeat Silva fielded questions about his job security but appeared upbeat about changing their fortunes.

Asked whether he risked the sack if results did not improve he said: 'I don't lose my focus with my situation. I know what the board ask of me. My job is to work hard, together with my players. They know my opinion about everything.'

Watford's Brazilian forward Richarlison, who Silva signed for £11.2million in the summer, appeared to react angrily to his dismissal by posting an angry faced emoji on Twitter shortly after the news broke.

Silva leaves the club in 10th position and just five points clear of third-bottom Southampton. 

Watford forward Richarlison appeared upset by Silva's sacking by posting an emoji on Twitter