Watford appoint Javi Gracia as new manager hours after sacking Marco Silva

The new manager has signed an 18-month contract

Javi Gracia has managed in Greece, Russia and Spain (Getty)

Watford have appointed Javi Gracia as the club’s new head coach hours after sacking Marco Silva. The 47-year-old Spaniard has signed an 18-month contract at Vicarage Road.

Silva was dismissed on Sunday morning following the 2-0 defeat by Leicester City on Saturday, with the club issuing a statement to blame Premier League rivals Everton for their approach earlier in the season that disrupted their run of results.

He leaves the Premier League side 10th in the table, but after claiming an impressive 21 points before the end of November, the Hornets have added just another five in two months.

The Portuguese, who arrived at Vicarage Road in the summer after failing to keep Hull City in the Premier League, gained the attentions of Everton as their top target following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman.

But Watford stood firm and blocked the approach from the Merseysiders despite Silva’s desire to open negotiations with the Toffees, and were keen to keep Silva to his two-year contract that still had 18 months left to run.

After a run of just one victory in their last 11 Premier League games, Watford have decided to sack yet another manager, with the club now appointing Gracia, their ninth manager in six seasons.

On his appointment Gracia praised Watford’s supporters, telling the club’s website: “It’s a special atmosphere and I’m very happy to feel this experience and to say thanks to them because I know they are the number one, and after the supporters will come the rest of the players. But they are the number one.”

Gracia has managed in Greece, Russia and Spain, where he took Malaga to two top-ten finishes in La Liga. His first game will be the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Southampton on Saturday.