Javi Gracia named Watford coach

London Jan 22 (IANS) Watford Football Club has appointed Spainish Javi Gracia as the English football team s new head coach following the dismissal of Marco Silva.

"The experienced 47-year-old who has signed an 18-month contact with the Hornets has previously coached clubs in his native Spain as well as Greece and Russia " the club announced on Sunday.

Gracia helped Málaga achieved back-to-back top-10 La Liga finishes during his two seasons with the Spanish club. He also helped them defeat eventual Champions League and Spanish champions Barcelona at the Camp Nou in February 2015.

The Spaniard started his senior coaching career in 2007 with Segunda División B outfit Pontevedra. Gracia secured promotion to the Spanish second-tier with Cádiz before spells in Greece with Olympiakos Volou and Kerkyra.

--IANS
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