Former Watford head coach Nigel Pearson has been appointed as Bristol City manager until the end of the season.

Pearson was taken on in a similar capacity at Vicarage Road last season as the Hornets battled relegation, but was sacked with two games remaining following a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United.

The former Leicester boss replaces Dean Holden after he was sacked by the out-of-form Robins last Tuesday, who Watford beat 6-0 only the week before.

The 57-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving the Hornets in July, will watch Tuesday’s clash with Middlesbrough before taking charge for the first time at Swansea this weekend.

Following his appointment, Pearson tweeted: "Good evening, all. Thank you for the kind messages and warm welcome. I'm delighted to be back in management and working for @BristolCity, a proud, progressive football club. I will give my all to improve our fortunes. Cheers, Nige. #BristolCity."

City chairman Jon Lansdown told the club’s official website: "Nigel gives us the leadership and direction we need to lift the players’ confidence and to turn our form around.

"The initial appointment is until the end of the season, when we will reassess the situation, hopefully with a view to the long term.

"However, the immediate priority for Nigel and the coaching team is to stop the current bad run and move us back up the table."

Bristol City sit 15th in the Sky Bet Championship table having lost their last seven games in all competitions after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Barnsley.