Watford

Guillem Balague: 'Javi Gracia will be new Watford manager'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 21 January 2018

Watford will appoint former Malaga and Rubin Kazan head coach Javi Gracia as their new manager, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Watford have decided to appoint former Malaga and Rubin Kazan head coach Javi Gracia as their new manager, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

The Hornets parted ways with Marco Silva on Sunday following a run of just one win in their last 11 Premier League games, leaving the club five points above the bottom three.

Gracia began his career with a spell as Villarreal youth manager in 2004, before taking the reins at Pontevedra CF three years later.

The 47-year-old has gone on to manage a host of clubs in Spain and Greece before a spell at Russian side Kazan which came to an end in June.

Balague wrote on his Twitter page: "Javi Gracia will be the new manager of Watford FC. From Villarreal Academy to Watford via Greece, Osasuna, Malaga, Rubin Kazan... meticulous, strong personality, tactically savvy. He deserves this chance. He speaks English and has been working at it."

Should Gracia be appointed at Vicarage Road, he will be the 10th manager to work at the club under the Pozzo family since 2012.