Watford have appointed Vladimir Ivić as their new head coach.
The 43-year-old Serbian takes over from Nigel Pearson who was sacked with two games of the Premier League season remaining last month.
The Hornets will be in the Championship next season after being relegated from the top flight on the final day of the campaign after finishing 19th, just one point behind Aston Villa in 17th and level on points with Bournemouth.
Ivić guided Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv to domestic success in the last two seasons and also led PAOK to Greek Cup glory in the 2016/17 season.
✍️ We are delighted to confirm Vladimir Ivić as the new Head Coach of Watford FC.
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 15, 2020
In a statement on the club's website, he said,
“First of all, from the beginning, I have a big expectation of myself and of my coaching staff.
“It’s my first time in England and I need to adapt as fast as possible, to do the best for the club is very important to me."
Ivic has signed a one-year contract, with a further year option held by the Hornets, and will start work with the squad on Monday, alongside his three-strong coaching team.
As a player, Ivić spent time with Partizan, Borussia Mönchengladbach and AEK Athens.
He also earned eight international caps for Serbia and Montenegro between 2001 and 2004.
He brings his own coaching team with him and added on Saturday evening that this familiarity will be important as they aim to return to the Premier League.
“I’ve worked with my coaching staff for three years, so I know that we will ask the most from ourselves so we can help the players to achieve the club’s goals.”
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