Watford set to appoint Javi Gracia as Silva replacement

Watford are on the verge of appointing Javi Gracia as their new head coach just hours after sacking Marco Silva, claims The Daily Telegraph.

The Hornets reluctantly announced Silva’s departure on Saturday after the club slipped to their eighth defeat in their last 11 matches, blaming Everton’s approach for the Portuguese back in November as the catalyst to their downfall in recent months.

Watford are only five points above the bottom three but, unlike Stoke, already have a replacement lined up in Gracia, with an announcement expected soon.

Gracia has been out of work since the end of last season after leaving Russian side Rubin Kazan but built an impressive reputation in Spain during his two-year stint at Malaga between 2014 and 2016.

The 47-year-old’s decision to manage in Russia came as a shock to those in Spain and he only lasted one season before calling it quits in the summer.

Gracia led Rubin Kazan to a midtable finish during his only season at the club, managing 10 wins from 30 league games.