The Hornets are pleased to confirm the appointment of Nigel Pearson as Head Coach on a contract that runs initially until the end of this season.

The 56-year-old will take up his post after the weekend, with Hornets’ Under-23s coach Hayden Mullins remaining in interim charge for Watford’s Premier League home fixture against Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Pearson has a wealth of managerial experience. He drove a successful bid for post-promotion Premier League survival with a run of seven victories in nine games at the end of the 2014/15 campaign, having secured his side a top-flight place during the previous season.

Watford’s Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury said of the club’s move to appoint Pearson: “Nigel is an impressive coach and comes with all of the experience and success we believe can have a very positive impact on our season.