Watford are set to confirm Gianfranco Zola as their new manager after sacking Sean Dyche.
The Championship club were bought by the Pozzo family, who already own Serie A side Udinese and Spanish club Granada, last Friday and want Zola to lead them back into the Premier League.
Zola has been out of management since he was fired by West Ham in May 2010 after two years in charge.
Giampaolo Pozzo insists Zola, who made a huge impact in English football as a player with Chelsea between 1996-2003 having previously played in Serie A for Napoli and Parma, is perfect for the role as he begins his quest to “revive the historic club”.
He said: “We always believed in Zola, we’ve known him for a long time. He is a serious and capable manager. With proper means, he can do well.
“The English coaches are different to that of the Italians.”
It is understood that former West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury will join him at the club as the duo enjoyed a close bond while together at Upton Park.
The Pozzo family’s decision to replace Dyche, who is believed to have been informed of the decision yesterday, will risk upsetting supporters.
Dyche, in his first season as a manager, led Watford to 11th place in the Championship last term, their highest finish for four years.
