MX23RW : Monday, December 3 18:28:51

Watford hand manager Javi Gracia long-term deal

Watford hand manager Javi Gracia long-term deal
© Reuters
The Spaniard, 48, has extended his contract until 2023 following a strong start to the season.

Watford manager Javi Gracia has signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal with the Vicarage Road club.

The Spaniard, who took over in January following Marco Silva's dismissal, could now remain at the Hornets until 2023.

Gracia, 48, was named Barclays Premier League manager of the month in August following his side's 100 per cent start to the campaign, which included a 2-1 victory at home against Tottenham.

His side travel to Leicester on Saturday ninth in the Premier League table, and with 20 points from their opening 13 fixtures, but without a victory in their last three appearances.

"I am very happy to extend my contract," Gracia said. "I am very proud in this moment to be part of this club and to belong here for more seasons."

Scott Duxbury, the Watford chairman and chief executive, added: "We are delighted that Javi has agreed an extension to his contract.

"From day one it was clear that Javi worked well with us and shared our vision of how to achieve success for Watford Football Club, and we are looking forward to continuing that work together for many years to come."

Gracia, the former Malaga and Rubin Kazan head coach, was the 10th manager to be appointed by the Pozzo family since their takeover at Watford in 2012.

Out of work since he departed Russian club Rubin Kazan in June 2017,  he took the reins of a Watford squad which had been victorious in just one of their previous 11 Premier League fixtures.

But Gracia won his opening three home league fixtures, with his side recording a famous 4-1 win over Chelsea, to secure their Premier League safety.

Yet, following a poor end to his opening campaign, overseeing just one victory from nine matches, there was speculation the club's trigger-happy owners would sack him in the summer.

But Watford's promising start to this term has convinced the hierarchy to provide Gracia with a new, long-term contract as he approaches a full year in charge at Vicarage Road.


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City1412204363738
2Liverpool1411302752236
3Chelsea1494130111931
4Arsenal1493232181430
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs14100425151030
6Everton146442016422
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd146442223-122
8Leicester CityLeicester146352017321
9Bournemouth146262321220
10Watford146261719-220
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton145361620-418
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves144461317-416
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham144371722-515
14Crystal Palace143381017-712
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle143381119-812
16Cardiff CityCardiff143291327-1411
17Huddersfield TownHuddersfield14248924-1510
18Southampton141671226-149
19Burnley142391329-169
20Fulham1422101435-218

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