WATFORDLAND XISCOAFTERSACKING ‘ARROGANT’IVIC

FORMER Valencia winger Xisco has been appointed Watford boss following Vladimir Ivic’s sacking amid major discontent over his methods. The 40-year-old becomes Watford’s 13th full-time boss in nine-and-a-half years after Ivic was axed following Saturday’s defeat by Huddersfield. Watford sit fifth but the decision came as little surprise to the players. Sources described Ivic as distant, arrogant and cold. Introducing a draconian fines-and-rules system on his appointment last summer was one bone of contention. He tried to ban phones at the training ground, but the players refused. Sportsmail can also reveal that Ivic wanted players to ask him for permission to play music in the dressing room before matches. And it is claimed he banished individuals from the dressing room during half-time team talks. Others said his coaching sessions were not up to the rigours of Championship football. Last week it emerged he planned to drop Troy Deeney. After the 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield, Ivic said the club captain hadn’t played because of ‘disciplinary issues’. But Sportsmail understands suggestions of misbehaviour frustrated officials and chairman Scott Duxbury said yesterday: ‘Nobody is in any doubt over Troy Deeney’s high level of professionalism.’ Xisco, who has left Dinamo Tbilisi to join Watford, will be joined by assistant coach Roberto Cuesta and Jorge Abella, who will take the role of strength and conditioning coach.