Claudio Ranieri favourite in Sky Bet's next Watford manager betting

We look at the leading contenders to replace Walter Mazzarri, according to Sky Bet's next Watford manager odds as the Italian prepares to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Hornets are on the lookout for their eighth manager since Gino Pozzo took over the club in 2012, with the 55-year-old the latest boss to fail to last beyond a single season.

Mazzarri's departure comes despite leading the club clear of relegation but as little surprise after Quique Sanchez Flores did the same in the previous campaign, while fellow predecessor Slavisa Jokanovic was also let go after leading them to promotion.

Here's a look at the leading candidates to take over at Vicarage Road next…

Claudio Ranieri - 11/8 with Sky Bet

If there is one manager who can boast achieving above any expectations then it is Claudio Ranieri, who defied odds of 5,000/1 to win the Premier League with Leicester. The odds now favour Ranieri to return to management at Watford, although it remains to be seen whether he'd be willing to work under a owner with such a managerial record after being sacked by the Foxes nine months after his unthinkable triumph. The 65-year-old has dismissed retirement talks and has already been linked with a series of vacancies, with a return to Inter Milan considered a 14/1 chance.

Marco Silva - 7/4 with Sky Bet

Marco Silva failed to achieve what Mazzarri managed as Hull slumped to relegation last weekend, but the 39-year-old has emerged with an enhanced reputation if anything. The Tigers were rooted to the foot of the table when he arrived in January after Mike Phelan battled with a lack of playing staff and resources. Silva managed to turn that sinking ship into a formidable force at home, although their solitary defeat at the KCOM Stadium to Sunderland left them needing a win at Crystal Palace. They lost that clash 4-0 and now face another battle to keep hold of the Portuguese boss, with Sky sources understanding his contract has a relegation-based release clause.

Alan Pardew - 6/1 with Sky Bet

If Watford's objectives remain short-sighted then few are more suited delivering short-term results than Alan Pardew. The 55-year-old enjoyed an impressive start to life at Crystal Palace, guiding them from relegation danger to 10th place in 2015 before leading them to a first FA Cup final since 1990. However, that was overshadowed by winning just six league games in 2016, resulting in his December departure. Pardew also boast a wealth of experience from spells at Reading, West Ham, Charlton, Southampton and Newcastle, although Pozzo's appointment record suggests Premier League experience is far from essential.

Other options…

Roy Hodgson is next in the betting at 8/1 despite showing little interest in returning to management since England's embarrassing display at Euro 2016. Mazzarri's compatriot Roberto Mancini, who left Roberto Mancini back in August, is next in line at 10/1. Jokanovic is 14/1 for a return having impressed by leading Fulham into the play-offs this season, while Ryan Giggs and Nigel Pearson are 16/1 apiece.