Watford have appointed Chris Wilder as head coach after sacking Slaven Bilic.

Bilic, 54, left after five months in charge following a run of one win in eight Championship games.

Wilder, who has agreed a contract until the end of the season, is Watford's ninth full-time manager since Javi Gracia's departure in September 2019.

Watford, relegated from the Premier League last season, are ninth in the table, four points off the play-offs.

"We are all ambitious to succeed this season, so something new is needed quickly while the opportunity of promotion is still real," technical director Ben Manga told the club website.

"With the January transfer window over, to change coach is the only option available to re-energise for the final games ahead."

Since Gracia was sacked four months after taking the club to the 2019 FA Cup final, Quique Sanchez Flores, Nigel Pearson, Vladimir Ivic, Xisco Munoz, Claudio Ranieri, Roy Hodgson, Edwards and Bilic have had spells in charge.

Bilic replaced Rob Edwards, who lasted only 11 games in charge, in September.

Wilder, 55, was sacked by Middlesbrough in October after 11 months in charge.