Ranieri has odds slashed to take over at Watford

Claudio Ranieri shocked the footballing world with the perfect rags to riches story last year when he managed Leicester City to the Premier League title. However, a downturn in form that followed coupled with rumours of player unrest eventually cost the former Chelsea manager his job just nine months later.

It now appears the popular 65 year-old could be making a return to the Premier League sooner than expected following the news that Watford manager Walter Mazzarri would be leaving his post after their final game of the season after just one season at the club. Ranieri’s fellow Italian has had a tricky time in the Premier League on the whole, but has still managed to lead his side to safety despite a recent run of five straight defeats.

Earlier this morning, Ranieri could be backed at 3/1 to take over at Vicarage Road, however in the last hour his odds have been cut to as short as 6/5 with one bookie. Others remain less than convinced, pricing the Italian at 5/1. Hull manager Marco Silva (4/1) is another name to be linked with the post and in turn become Watford’s ninth manager in just five years.

So far today, a massive 55% of bets placed through Oddschecker on the market have been on Ranieri with bets also for Slavisa Jokanovic, Gary Monk and Roberto Mancini.

Watford have history when it comes to appointing Italian managers and given what Ranieri did with Leicester, it’s easy to see why the connection has been made. That said, the former Foxes boss might be looking for a more high-profile job and may not see the Watford job as a challenge he’d be willing to take.

Fellow Premier League winner Roberto Mancini has also been linked but is a short favourite for the West Ham job and that appears the most likely route back into Premier League management for the former Man City man. Which leaves Hull’s Marco Silva, the 39 year-old created a strong impression during his time with the club and would appear to be an ideal fit.