Gianfranco Zola quits Watford: Italian resigns in 'best interests' of the club

The former Chelsea player took the Championship club to the play-off final last season

Gianfranco Zola (GETTY IMAGES)

Gianfranco Zola has resigned as manager of Sky Bet Championship club Watford.

The Italian said in a statement on the club's website that he had made taken the decision "in the best interests of the team".

His exit comes with Watford - who, under Zola, lost last season's play-off final to Crystal Palace - on a run of nine matches without a win in the second tier following Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

Zola leaves the Hertfordshire club 13th in the table, eight points adrift of the top six.

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