Watford have sacked Vladimir Ivic after just four months as their head coach. The Championship club confirmed Ivic’s departure just hours after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield. Watford’s fourth defeat of the league season proved Ivic’s undoing, with the Hertfordshire club’s ninth manager in five years the latest to leave after a short tenure. Watford sit fifth in the Championship table after 20 matches, in their bid for an immediate Premier League return. Ivic had only arrived at Watford in August, after the club had installed Hayden Mullins for the end of their Premier League season that ended with relegation following Nigel Pearson’s sacking. “Watford FC confirms the departure of head coach Vladimir Ivic with immediate effect,” read a club statement. “The Hornets thank Ivic and his staff for their efforts this season and wish them well for future success elsewhere. No further comment is available from the club.” The Watford Observer reported Ivic left Troy Deeney, the captain, on the bench against Huddersfield “because of some discipline issues”. Before joining Watford, Ivic guided Maccabi Tel Aviv to back-to-back league titles in Israel. He also won the Greek Cup with Paok in 2017. His overly defensive tactics have been unpopular with Watford fans, though, and the team’s style of play has not been easy on the eye. Defeat at Huddersfield left Watford nine points behind the leaders, Norwich, and four behind second-placed Bournemouth. The prospect of falling further behind the other two relegated teams in the race for automatic promotion has forced the board to act decisively, with Watford hosting Norwich on Boxing Day.