Watford set to announce Vladimir Ivić as their new manager

Presumably he'll take them up and then get the sack

Watford have appointed Vladimir Ilic as their new manager, according to The Athletic, with an announcement expect in the coming days. The 42-year-old has signed a two-year contract, which seems quite ambitious given Watford's recent history. Ilic is a former Serbia international who has spent the last two years in charge of Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv, winning back to back league titles. Before that he coached in Greece at PAOK, where he finished his playing career. Watford finished the Premier League season with Hayden Mullins stepping up to take charge of the first team after Nigel Pearson was sacked with just two games remaining. Pearson had inspired an upturn in form initially, which saw the Hornets beat eventual champions Liverpool, but his effects wore off and he was let go before the season's end. That meant Watford went through four managers last season before being relegated to the Championship after five seasons in the Premier League. Owner Gino Pozzo will be hoping their first season back in the EFL goes a lot more smoothly. Ivic will become the 12th permanent head coach Pozzo has hired in the last eight years, such is the Italian owner's way of operating. The new Hornets boss will be tasked with taking them back to the top flight but is likely to lose several big name stars including Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu before he takes charge of a game.