Watford legend Graham Taylor says Gianfranco Zola’s departure has left him “shaken” and “shocked”.

Taylor was at Zola’s last game as Hornets head coach on Saturday - the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday - and claims there was no talk of the Italian departing in the directors’ box.

The Golden Boys’ honorary life president also questioned whether the Play-Off defeat to Crystal Palace in May had a bigger impact on Zola and the team than initially thought.

“I’m shocked, it’s shaken me to hear he’s gone,” Taylor told the Birmingham Mail.

“I was at the game on Saturday and there was no talk in the directors’ box that Gianfranco might be on the way out, but he was a wonderful player and he has remained an honourable character as a manager.

“He did a fine job but I know from personal experience at Wolves that losing in the play-offs is one of the hardest things that can happen to you in football and I wonder if there has been a delayed reaction to the disappointment of missing out at Wembley.”