Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is a step closer to taking charge at Watford.

Watford's new owners have officially confirmed the sacking of manager Sean Dyche, with Zola now set to be installed as his successor.

The Hornets have ended Dyche's 12-month tenure at the helm after he guided the club to an 11th-placed finish in the npower Championship last term.

His replacement is likely to be former West Ham United boss Zola after the Pozzo family, who completed their takeover from Laurence Bassini last week, suggested in a TV interview that he would take charge at Vicarage Road.