Claudio Ranieri has backed Watford to stay up this season and described Roy Hodgson as a "fantastic manager" following his sacking yesterday.

The Italian was axed following Friday's humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Norwich City and Hodgson is expected to be announced as his predecessor either today or tomorrow.

This morning, Ranieri travelled to the club's training ground one last time to gather his belongings and say goodbye to the people he was worked with since October.

One his way out, he stopped to have a brief conversation with Sky Sports, during which he wished the club luck and backed them to stay up under Hodgson.

"I’m fine, I’m not used to speaking at this, after what has happened," said Ranieri. "I can only say good luck to everybody, to Watford, to the fans, to the board, to everything.

"I know [I had some good results], but that’s football. But I believe with these three new players, Watford can be safe and also arrives a fantastic manager. I wish them all the best."

Hodgson has since arrived at the training ground to finalise the deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the current season when the position will be reassessed.