Mazz seeks leaving gift

WATFORD MANCHESTER CITY

WALTER MAZZARRI walks the plank at Vicarage Road today believing Watford can give him a winning send-off – because he deserves it.

The Italian head coach was sacked on Wednesday, 11 months into a three-year contract, but he agreed to take charge of the Hornets’ last game, claiming it was “the right choice” to complete the season.

Several key players, and the majority of supporters, will not lament his premature exit.

Mazzarri (above), who led Watford to the magic 40-point safety mark with six games to spare, does not expect a carriage clock, but he said: “The best leaving gift my players could give me is to beat City. I hope they will give all the pride they have got inside, and with just a little more attention in certain episodes than we managed against Chelsea, hopefully we can surprise everyone.

“The players deserve it – and I deserve it as well.”