Watford appoint Chelsea coach Rodgers

Watford have appointed Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers as their new manager.

The 35-year-old has left Stamford Bridge to join the Coca-Cola Championship strugglers and will take charge at Vicarage Road after tomorrow night's game at Bristol City.

Rodgers replaces Adrian Boothroyd who left the club at the start of the month.

Rodgers will be assisted by former West Ham coach Frank Lampard who has been handed the role of football consultant.

The 60-year-old father and namesake of the Chelsea and England midfielder was previously assistant to Harry Redknapp at Upton Park.

Caretaker manager Malky Mackay will take charge of the match at Bristol City and will remain at the club under Rodgers after guiding the Hornets to two wins in his four games in charge.

Rodgers was forced to retire at the age of 20 before joining the coaching set-up at Reading.

After progressing to the role of academy director at the Madejski Stadium Rodgers made the move to Chelsea where he was appointed youth team coach under Jose Mourinho in 2004.

He later took charge of the club's reserve side and has a reputation for developing young talent.

His task in the short term will be to keep the Hornets in the Championship after a poor start to the season.

Watford recorded an impressive 3-0 win over QPR on Saturday but have still picked up just 18 points from their opening 18 games and sit two points clear of the relegation zone.