Javi Gracia replaces Marco Silva as Watford's head coach

After sacking Marco Silva in the wake of a 12th Premier League defeat against Leicester (2x0), Watford have already chosen a replacement. Javi Gracia has signed an 18-month contract at Vicarage Road and his first game in charge will be Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Southampton.

Gracia has been out of work since leaving Russian club Rubin Kazan last June. He had previously been in charge of La Liga's Málaga for two seasons and also worked in Greece. The Spaniard will be the 10th manager to work for Watford since the start of 2012.

Silva is the eighth Premier League manager to lose his job this season, following changes at Crystal Palace, Everton, Leicester City, Stoke, Swansea, West Brom and West Ham. Watford have publicly stated that Everton's approach for Silva in November was the "catalyst" for their decision to sack him. The Portuguese leaves Watford in 10th position after 7 wins, 5 draws and 12 defeats. Currently on 26 points, the Hornets are just 4 points above the relegation zone.