Watford names Javi Gracia new manager

Shortly after firing Marco Silva, Watford has named a new manager in former Malaga boss Javi Gracia, who has signed an 18-month contract with the Hornets.

Watford promised to seek a "swift appointment" following Silva's sacking earlier Sunday and kept true to that word by announcing Gracia's hiring about nine hours later.

A former Villarreal, Real Sociedad, and Athletic Bilbao defensive midfielder, Gracia has enjoyed managerial stints in Spain, Greece, and Russia, with his most successful period coming at Malaga, where he helped guide the team to consecutive top-10 finishes in La Liga.

Related: Who is Javi Gracia? Introducing Marco Silva's successor at Watford

Last with Russian side Rubin Kazan, Gracia takes over an English outfit for the first time, and becomes the 10th manager at Watford since the club was acquired by the Pozzo family in 2012.

The 47-year-old has had 10 different managerial stints since 2004, but hasn't stayed at a club for longer than two seasons. Hornets supporters will hope Gracia can inspire the sort of form from Richarlison, Troy Deeney, and Co. that saw the club rise to as high as fourth in the table earlier in the season.

Watford currently sits 10th in the Premier League, following a string of poor results that has seen the team win just one of its last eight matches, losing six and drawing one - results over a period that coincides with Everton's reported £10-million bid for Silva back in November.

Silva was dismissed Sunday due to "a significant deterioration in focus and results" since the Toffees' approach.