Watford have named Javi Gracia as their new head coach after the sacking of Marco Silva with the Premier League club criticising Everton for an “unwarranted approach” which they claim derailed their season.

Silva returned to Lisbon on Sunday night after being dismissed and will consider his options. Watford have acted swiftly with Gracia, who is currently out-of-work, in London on Sunday to sign an 18-month deal. The 47-year-old Spaniard’s first match in charge will be the FA Cup fourth round tie away to Southampton next Saturday.

Silva lost his job after a disastrous run of form which culminated in the 2-0 defeat away to Leicester City. Having been fifth in table when Ronald Koeman was sacked as Everton manager on October 23, leading to a five-week long saga of trying to hire Silva, Watford are just five points outside the relegation zone.

They are still in 10th place but have won just one of their last 11 league matches with the approach from Everton blamed for the breakdown of the relationship between Silva and the club’s hierarchy and also key players in the dressing room.

“Commitment is everything. Without it you lose the dressing room,” one key source said.