Watford are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Edward Still as their new manager.
The Hornets have been searching for a new boss since Javi Gracia resigned from his role at the start of February, just over three months after the Spaniard returned to the club for a second spell.
And, according to Sky Sports, Still, brother of former Southampton boss Will, is set to take the role.
The 35-year-old will become Watford’s third manager of the season after Paulo Pezzolano was sacked after just 10 games, and he will take over a side that are 11th in the Championship and three points off the play-offs.
Still’s previous managerial experience has come in the Belgian Pro League at Charleroi, Eupen and Kortrijk, although his last role ended in September 2023 – and he has won only 24 of his 80 matches in the dugout.
He is a highly-rated coach though, and having previously worked with his younger brother Will during their time at Lens, where they were joined by the pair’s other brother Nicolas, he had been the assistant boss at Anderlecht this season to Besnik Hasi.
Edward Still (right), brother of Will (left), is set to be appointed as Watford’s new manager
Still is a highly rated coach and he has been the assistant boss at Anderlecht so far this season
However, Hasi was sacked last week and Still was installed as interim boss, but the Belgian giants lost 2-0 to Genk in his first game in the hot seat.
Will, 33, was linked to the vacant role at Vicarage Road after being sacked by Southampton following just 13 Championship matches in November, but his older brother is expected to pip him to the role.
Former Watford players Dan Gosling, Adrian Mariappa have been in temporary charge of the club, alongside Charlie Daniels, with the trio overseeing a draw against Hull and a defeat by Southampton over the past week.
Gracia’s resignation had shocked fans after a five-game winless streak in all competitions, with the club expressing their ‘sadness’ and ‘disappointment’ at the time.
In a statement bemoaning the news, Watford had said: ‘The club is sad and disappointed to confirm the resignation of Javi Gracia as Head Coach.
‘We retain the belief Javi was the right man to lead the club towards its push for promotion, but Javi felt he no longer had the motivation and was not the right man to continue coaching this exciting group of young players.’
Gracia has since opened up further on his decision in his own statement.
‘After deep and honest reflection, I have made the decision to voluntarily resign from my position as Watford FC manager,’ he said.
Watford were left shocked after former boss Javi Gracia resigned from his role this month
‘Out of responsibility and personal consistency, I believe that the most honest thing to do was not to continue in a project where I could no longer contribute with full conviction.
‘Watford FC is and always will be a very special club for me. I will be deeply grateful for the trust they placed in me during the two spells in which I had the privilege of leading the team.’
Still will become Watford’s 13th permanent manager since the start of 2020 and his absence on his brother’s coaching staff at Southampton had been touted as one reason for Will’s struggles at St Mary’s.
Watford are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Preston North End.
