Watford Football Club

• Nickname:The Hornets
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Gianfranco Zola

• Ground:Vicarage Road
• Capacity:20800

Hornets rue Rodgers' exit

04 Jun 2009 - 13:02:44

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Watford have revealed their disappointment after losing manager Brendan Rodgers to Reading just seven months into his reign at Vicarage Road.

Rodgers, who joined the Hornets from his role as reserve team coach at Chelsea in November, was allowed to leave after revealing his desire to join the Royals.

The Northern Irishman has a long association with Reading after helping set-up their academy and coaching their youth players before moving on to Chelsea in 2004.

"Following speculation over the Reading vacancy I had spoken to Brendan only last week and he had assured me that he was 100 per cent committed to Watford FC and our plan for the future," chairman Jimmy Russo told the club's official website.

"Once Brendan had confirmed his desire to discuss the opportunity and Reading had met a contractual compensation figure, we were powerless to prevent him doing so.

"I then spent up until Monday evening negotiating with Reading a vastly improved compensation package, starting at £500,000 and potentially rising to £1million."

The Hornets have yet to name a caretaker manager and a club statement added: "The club is disappointed and saddened to lose Rodgers after he joined in November 2008 from Chelsea on a 12-month rolling contract.

"Following the departure of Rodgers as manager, the board remain strongly optimistic for the future and will meet to discuss the options available moving forward.

"Whilst incredibly disappointed to lose Rodgers, the club would like to place on record its thanks to Brendan for his contribution during his time at Vicarage Road."