Under pressure Watford manager Alessio Dionisi said reports he would lose his job after Tuesday’s heavy defeat at Cardiff were “fake news”.

The Hornets were beaten 5-1 in the Welsh capital, just days after a similarly crushing defeat against Burnley at Vicarage Road.

Watford are 22nd after 10 games of the Championship season, losing six of those matches and all of the past four, but Dionisi will take charge of Saturday’s home meeting with Charlton Athletic.

The Italian, who was appointed as manager in June, said it was “normal” for there to be speculation over his future.

“There is good news, bad news or fake news probably. In this case for the moment, it is fake news. But I don’t decide,” he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

Watford started the season with a three-game unbeaten run, including an opening-day victory over Southampton but have won only one Championship game since, against bottom side Preston.

Following the defeat against Burnley, former Watford owner Elton John said he was “upset and disappointed” by the club’s form in a now-deleted post on Instagram.

Ex-Watford midfielder Tom Ince has also weighed in, telling BBC Sounds’ 72+ Plus podcast that he feared for the club after their “soulless” display at Cardiff.

“I have a lot of respect for everyone,” said Dionisi.

“For Elton John, I am sorry because I don’t know him. But football is wonderful because everyone speaks [their mind]. There are supporters, there are journalists. There are a lot of people.

“I have been a coach for 14 years, and it is normal. In my past there was negative and there was positive moments. At the moment it is a negative moment.”

Dionisi added that he was in regular contact with the club’s ownership group, including Gino Pozzo.

“Inside the training ground there is only one mentality, only one street for everyone,” Dionisi said.