WAT! THEY DID IT AGAIN

Nigel is third boss axed

NIGEL PEARSON has become the third manager dumped by Watford this season in another crazy rotation of the revolving door at Vicarage Road.

In an astonishing move, with just two games of the season left, the Hornets swung the axe because they fear relegation with only tough dates against Manchester City and FA Cup finalists Arsenal to come.

Before the club confirmed the move last night, a stunned Pearson was understood to have been informed of their decision by technical director Filippo Giraldi at the training ground.

When asked last Thursday if he expected to be in charge next season, Pearson said he was “hopeful” of being retained beyond the end of his short-term contract and believed he had an “agreement” in place.

The move comes after the Hornets had already pulled the trigger on Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez

Flores this season.

First-team coach

Craig Shakespeare will also leave immediately, with Under-23 boss Hayden Mullins

(below) and goalkeeper coach Graham Stack taking charge until the end of the season.

Watford are now looking to make their 13th managerial appointment in eight years, since Sean Dyche was turfed out to make way for Gianfranco Zola in 2012.

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: “Watford have sacked Nigel Pearson. That’s a thoughtful reward for helping to drag a team out of the relegation zone.”

Pearson, 56, had taken 25 points from 20 games since he replaced Flores in December – the best win percentage by a Hornets boss since their return to the top flight in 2015.

But the board were dismayed by the 3-1 loss at West Ham in Friday night’s pivotal relegation battle. Bournemouth’s home defeat by Southampton eased their concerns, but owner Gino Pozzo has never seen any of his clubs go down.

He does not intend to suffer a first blot at any price.