Javi Gracia is poised to sign a new three-year, long-term contract as Watford head coach.

His representatives have met with officials of the Premier League club and an agreement is close to being announced.

Gracia has hugely impressed since taking over from Marco Silva last January when Watford were on a run of just one win in l1 league matches and in danger of getting sucked into the relegation places.

The 48-year-old endured a tough start but Watford stayed up, beating Chelsea along the way, and have undoubtedly pushed on. Gracia’s work in re-organising the team, integrating some key players who appeared to have been marginalised, such as Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue, and developing young talent such as Will Hughes, who was unfortunate not receive an England call-up alongside team-mate Nathaniel Chalobah, has not gone unnoticed.

Awarding the Spaniard a three-year deal, as sources close to him have suggested will be agreed, would also appear significant as it is a sign not just that Watford are happy with Gracia’s work but are striving for more longevity with their managerial appointment. Silva, for example, was on a two-year deal.

Gracia is the 10th Watford head coach to work at the club since the Pozzo family acquired it in 2012 and although the coaches left for different reasons, and the club continued to thrive, a longer-term appointment would also help progress and provide a little more continuity in the dug-out.