Watford name Gracia as manager after sacking Silva

Spaniard Javi Gracia is the instant replacement for Marco Silva at Watford

Watford appointed Spaniard Javi Gracia as manager on Sunday, hours after sacking Marco Silva and blaming a rival Premier League club for their recent slump.

Gracia, 47, signed an 18-month contract with Watford who lie 10th in the standings.

“Watford FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Javi Gracia as the club’s new Head Coach,” the club said on their website (www.watfordfc.com).

“During two seasons with Malaga he achieved back-to-back top-10 La Liga finishes, famously defeating eventual Champions League and Spanish champions Barcelona at the Camp Nou in February 2015.”

In the following season, Malaga went unbeaten against both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and finished eighth in La Liga.

Gracia moved to Rubin Kazan for the 2016-17 season but left after they finished ninth in the Russian League.

Everton had targeted Silva in their quest to replace Dutchman Ronald Koeman in November but were refused permission to approach him and appointed former England manager Sam Allardyce instead.

Without naming Everton, Watford criticised the Merseyside club for their interest in Silva, which they believe unsettled the manager and affected a squad that had began the season well and reached fourth in the table.

“This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly,” Watford said.

”The club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for his services we would have continued to prosper under his leadership.

“The catalyst for this decision is that unwarranted approach, something which the board believes has seen a significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised.”

Silva, 40, joined Watford from Hull City on a two-year deal in the close season and took them up to fourth after eight matches.

Watford have since struggled for consistency, winning just once in the past 11 league games.

They were beaten 2-0 by Leicester City on Saturday, their third league defeat in four matches.

Gracia, who played for a number of La Liga clubs including Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, will be Watford’s 10th manager since the Pozzo family took over the club only six years ago.

They visit Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday and Stoke City in the Premier League on Jan. 31.