New Watford manager Malky Mackay said he was “surprised” that he was asked to take over at the club.

The Scotsman, 36, was appointed caretaker manager last night when Aidy Boothroyd left after three-and-a-half years in charge of the Hornets.

Mackay was reserve team boss under Boothroyd and has been given the promotion despite having no previous managerial experience.

He said: “Yesterday, last evening, I got a call to go and see the chairman and chief executive, Graham (Simpson) and Mark (Ashton), and was told that Aidy had left the club by mutual consent and they asked me to take over the caretaker manager reins.

“I left on Saturday evening, obviously we were disappointed with the result on Saturday night, but we were going to be in this morning as normal, there was no difference and it was a surprise to me that I got that call.

“There has not been a remit, in terms that you have X games or X months, it is just a case of come in and be caretaker manager for the time being.”

He added that he has been told he can apply for the full time post.