Former Watford boss Gianfranco Zola has been axed as coach of Qatari side Al-Arabi.

The Italian, who guided the Hornets to the 2013 Play-Off Final before resigning the following season after a downturn in results, had signed a two-year deal with the Doha-based club in July last year, but looks to have paid the price for Al-Arabi’s poor league form.

The former Chelsea star was unable to improve the club’s fortunes in his year in charge as they finished eighth and on 35 points – exactly the same in both respects as the previous campaign.

Uruguayan coach Gerardo Pelusso will now take charge, with the decision to replace Zola coming after the club installed a new president.

The 49-year-old had been linked with a return to England with Nottingham Forest, who announced the appointment of Frenchman Philippe Montanier as their new head coach this morning.