Troost-Ekong, Etebo, Dennis to get new coach as Ranieri agrees to join Watford

SUPER Eagles star William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis will be playing under the guidance of a new coach after the international break, according to reports in Italy.

The Nigerian trio play for Watford who fired their head coach Xisco Munoz on Sunday with a terse statement that read: “Watford FC confirms Xisco Muñoz has left his post as the club’s Head Coach.

“The Board feels recent performances strongly indicate a negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving.

“The Hornets will always be grateful to Xisco for the part he played in securing last season’s promotion and wish him well for his future career in football.”

The Premier League newcomers said they would soon announce their new head coach and that could be as soon as Monday.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Claudio Ranieri has agreed terms with Watford and he is scheduled to sign his contract papers on Monday.

The 69-year-old Italian will be returning to the Premier League after spells with Chelsea, Leicester City and Fulham.

Sky Sport Italia claimed on Sunday that only the final details remained to be signed to make Ranieri’s appointment official.

Munoz was sacked after Watford were only able to get seven points in the first seven Premier League games of the season, which is relegation form.

Ranieri, who left Sampdoria in the summer after taking them to ninth in Serie A last term, is a Leicester City legend having been in charge of the Foxes when they won their only Premier League title in 2016.

His last job in England was with Fulham, who sacked him in 2019.

The veteran Italian has won 107 of his 225 games in the Premier League.