Watford to reward Gracia with new deal

Javi Gracia is poised to sign a new three-year contract as Watford head coach. His representatives have met officials of the Premier League club and an agreement is close to being announced.

Gracia has impressed since taking over from Marco Silva last January, when Watford were on a run of just one win in 11 league matches and in danger of getting sucked into the relegation places.

The 48-year-old endured a tough start, but Watford stayed up, beating Chelsea along the way, and have pushed on this season. Gracia’s work in re-organising the team, integrating key players who appeared to have been marginalised, such as Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue, and developing talent such as Will Hughes has not gone unnoticed.

Awarding the Spaniard a threeyear deal would appear significant as it is a sign not just that Watford are happy with Gracia’s work, but are striving for more longevity.

He is the 10th Watford head coach since the Pozzo family acquired the club in 2012 and a longer-term appointment would help progress and provide more continuity in the dugout.

The new contract would remove any uncertainty over the future of the 48-year-old, who last summer was the first Watford head coach to stay from the end of the previous season since 2014.

Gracia’s new contract is expected to be announced in a few weeks. It is also expected Watford’s dispute with Everton over Marco Silva will come to a head after an independent inquiry was launched into the alleged “tapping up” of him.

Watford made it clear they would not entertain an approach for their manager and formally complained about Everton’s conduct. The case is in the hands of Premier Leagueappointed lawyers.