Watford goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has admitted that the last few days at the club have been "hard" for the players following Gianfranco Zola's exit.

The 47-year-old resigned as head coach of the Championship outfit on Monday following nine league games without a win.

"He was a fantastic manager and a fantastic person, and we all have only good memories of him," Almunia told BBC Three Counties Radio. "It's been very hard days for us because Gianfranco gave us so much, to every single player, and the club.

"I just want to say thank you for everything he gave us, for the support, his character, his kindness. The new manager cannot do anything in the short-term. The club is on our shoulders and we have to react, and every single player has to think on what we did and more importantly what we have to do, to do better."

Watford appointed Giuseppe Sannino as the club's new head coach two days after Zola's exit.