Watford to hold talks with Vladimir Ivic over vacant manager role
Watford are to hold talks with Serbian Vladimir Ivic over becoming their new head coach.
The 43-year-old has left his post at Maccabi Tel Aviv where he won consecutive league titles in Israel and is a free agent.
Former Leicester City coach Claude Puel, currently at St Etienne, had been the early favourite to succeed Nigel Pearson prior to Watford’s relegation.
Serbian Vladimir Ivic is to hold talks with the Watford owners about taking charge
Ivic would not command compensation and was on a relatively modest contract in Israel.
He is understood to be due to meet Watford’s hierarchy in Italy this week for talks over the job.
Ivic, who was an attacking midfielder as a player and capped by Serbia, previously coached PAOK in Greece where he won the Greek Cup.
The Hornets suffered relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season
Ivic, pictured here in charge of PAOK, would not command compensation if he took the role
Chris Hughton has also expressed an interest in the Watford job despite holding talks with Bristol City who have yet to confirm their new manager.
The Ashton Gate club have since also spoken to Dean Holden.
Watford, meanwhile, are also poised to appoint former Udinese forward Cristiano Giaretta, 52, as their new sporting director.
