Former Oxford United boss Chris Wilder has been announced as the new Watford manager following the sacking of Slaven Bilic.

Wilder has agreed to take over at Watford until the end of the season with the club announcing the news seventeen minutes after Bilic's departure was confirmed.

Bilic's last game was the underwhelming 0-0 draw with Preston on Saturday, a result that left them three places and four points off a play-off slot in the Championship.

The Hornets have won just three games since Christmas and picked up only 14 points from a possible 36.

Wilder will now take over at Vicarage Road following the swift replacement of Bilic.

He spent just over five years with the U’s between December 2008 and January 2014, before leaving for Northampton Town.

In 2010, Wilder ended United’s four-year exile in non-League football by guiding the club to promotion via the play-offs.

Some fans were eager to see Wilder back in the dugout at the Kassam Stadium but this news means that will not be the case.

A Watford statement reads: "The Hornets are pleased to confirm the appointment of Chris Wilder as Head Coach on a contract until the end of this season.

"An experienced manager at both Premier League and Championship level, the 55-year-old has overseen successful promotion campaigns at several clubs; notably taking Sheffield United from League One to the top-flight in the space of three seasons.

"Wilder then led the Blades to a ninth-placed finish on their return to the Premier League, the club’s highest league position in nearly 30 years.

"Having begun his managerial career with Alfreton Town and Halifax Town, Wilder achieved his first promotion with Oxford United, guiding the U’s to Conference Premier Play-Off glory in 2009/10."