Former Chievo manager Giuseppe Sannino has succeeded fellow Italian Gianfranco Zola as manager of Watford, the English second-tier side announced on Wednesday.

Zola, the former Chelsea and Italy striker, steered Watford to the Championship play-off final last season, where they were beaten by Crystal Palace, but resigned on Monday after a run of nine matches without a win.

"Experienced Giuseppe Sannino is Watford Football Club's newly-appointed head coach," read a statement on the club website.

Sannino, 55, was sacked by Chievo in November and has also coached teams including Siena, Palermo and Verona.

He will take charge of his first game on Saturday when Watford visit Ipswich Town.

Watford's owners, the Pozzo family, are Italian and the Championship club took a number of players on loan from Serie A side Udinese last season.