SAN JOSE — The Earthquakes are removing the interim label from coach Mark Watson’s title.

The team has agreed to a deal to retain Watson, who took over in June for Frank Yallop and led the Quakes just short of the MLS playoffs. A team spokesman said Monday the deal hasn’t been completed but an announcement is expected this week.

General manager John Doyle told supporters and players Sunday night at the Earthquakes Awards Gala that the club has agreed to terms on a long-term contract, according to CenterLineSoccer.com‘s Robert Jonas, who attended the event.

Doyle had indicated to two reporters recently that he was happy with Watson’s performance but he wanted to wait until the end of the season to make it official.

“Mark has had a real emphasis on small details and doing things right,” Doyle said two weeks ago.

Yallop brought Watson, 43, to San Jose four years ago as the team’s chief assistant. When Yallop departed in June while the Quakes were 3-6-6, Watson was promoted on an interim basis. At the time, team president Dave Kaval said he and Doyle would conduct an international search for a new coach.

But Watson, a former Canadian defender, kept the Earthquakes together during the transition and went 11-5-3 over the final 19 games. That made San Jose (14-11-9) one of the best MLS teams in the second half of the season. They tied the Colorado Rapids with 51 points for fifth in the Western Conference. But the Rapids advanced to the playoffs after winning a tiebreaker involving goals scored.

The Quakes’ transformation under Watson led to strong support in the locker room.

“You look at what he’s done, and there’s a huge case for him to stay,” goalkeeper Jon Busch said last week. “The record speaks for itself.”

Team star Chris Wondolowski, added, “He’s done a great job. He definitely has my backing.”