Vladimir Ivic could be named the new Watford manager after emerging as the front-runner to become Hornet boss. The post has been vacant following Nigel Pearson’s sack and Watford’s relegation from the Premier League.
PA reports that the 43-year-old Serbian, who is a free agent after stepping down from his managerial role at Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he won consecutive league titles. He is close to securing the job.
Other managers also in the hunt for the job include former Leicester boss Claude Puel and ex-Brighton manager Chris Hughton.
After the club also considered Barnsley’s Gerhard Struber, former Serbia, and Montenegro midfielder might be at the helms of affairs at Vicarage Road very soon.
It could be recalled that Pearson left Watford with two games of the Premier League season to play, having to take the club outside the relegation spot. The former Leicester City boss was Watford’s third manager of a campaign after Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores both departing earlier in the term.
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Watford to lose top players following relegation
Meanwhile, the Hornet will likely lose a host of its senior stars following their relegation to the second division.
Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu are already in demand. Sarr has been linked to Liverpool and the club wants 40 million pounds for the Senegalese, who was a menace against them at the Vicarage Road in a game that handed Jurgen Klopp‘s men their first defeat of the season. The Hornet signed Sarr from Rennes for £30m in a club-record deal last summer.
“Liverpool is a really great team, everyone would love to play there. They won the Premier League this year and the Champions League last year. But also there are great teams in the English league.
‘Frankly, I have yet to make a choice. If that were to happen, I just wish they were a good team. At the moment, there are only guesses,” ‘ Sarr who scored two goals against the Reds during their meeting told Senegal outlet Les Echos, via Metro.
The Sun reports that Watford won’t let Sarr go for anything less than the fee they signed him for last year at least with Crystal Palace also said to be among the interested parties in the player.
Sarr, who also said he remained committed to the club would be happy to play Championship football next season if they rejected any offers for him.
‘I still have years of contract with Watford, another four years.
‘If Watford want me to stay, I’ll play in the Championship, my departure also depends on them. I really don’t know what to say. We are going to play in the Championship since there is no transfer yet.’
