Zola resigns as manager of Watford

Published Dec. 16, 2013 11:57 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Italy forward Gianfranco Zola has resigned from his position as manager of second-tier English club Watford.

Zola led Watford to the brink of a return to the Premier League last season, only for the team to lose to Crystal Palace in the League Championship playoff final.

Watford is currently 13th in the 24-team league, having failed to win any of its last nine games.

In an open letter to Watford supporters on the club's website, Zola says ''I feel that it is in the best interests of the team that somebody new is given the chance to bring the success which we have all hoped for and worked very hard for.''

Zola was fired by West Ham in 2010 after two years as manager.