Watford have sacked manager Marco Silva, saying the “unwarranted approach” from Premier League rivals Everton was “the catalyst” for the decision.

The Portuguese had been a target for the Toffees earlier in the campaign after an excellent start, but a run of one win in 11 matches has now cost him his job.

A statement from the club on Sunday morning read: “This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly. 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.”

Marco Silva has been sacked by Watford
Marco Silva has been sacked by Watford (David Davies/PA)

“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.”

  • Jan 20: Leicester (lost 2-0)
  • Jan 13: Southampton (drew 2-2)
  • Jan 6: Bristol City (FA Cup, won 3-0)
  • Jan 2: Manchester City (lost 2-1)
  • Dec 30: Swansea (lost 2-1)
  • Dec 26: Leicester (won 2-1)
  • Dec 23: Brighton (lost 1-0)
  • Dec 16: Huddersfield (lost 4-1)
  • Dec 12: Palace (lost 2-1)
  • Dec 9: Burnley (lost 1-0)
  • Dec 2: Tottenham (drew 1-1)
  • Nov 28: Man Utd (lost 4-2)

Silva took charge at Vicarage Road in May on a two-year contract, having arrived in England in January 2017 for a four-month spell at Hull in which he impressed but could not save the Tigers from dropping into the Championship.

The Hornets won four of their opening eight top-flight games this term, but have struggled of late – a problem the club have clearly put down to links with the Everton job following Ronald Koeman’s dismissal in late October.

  • Marco Silva (May 2017 - Jan 2018)
  • Walter Mazzarri (July 2016 - May 2017)
  • Quique Sanchez Flores (June 2015 - May 2016)
  • Slavisa Jokanovic (October 2014 - June 2015)
  • Billy McKinlay (September 2014 - October 2014)
  • Oscar Garcia (September 2014 - September 2014)
  • Guiseppe Sannino (December 2013 - August 2014)
  • Gianfranco Zola (July 2012 - December 2013)
  • Sean Dyche (June 2011 - July 2012)

Silva’s departure leaves Watford searching for their 10th manager in seven years.

Koeman was among the early contenders with the bookmakers to replace Silva, along with former Manchester City bosses Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini. Shakhtar Donetsk’s Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, 67-year-old Argentinian Jose Lopez and Beijing Guoan’s German boss Roger Schmidt were also in the frame.