Watford have appointed Ed Still as their new head coach, handing the 35-year-old a two-and-a-half-year contract at Vicarage Road, Sky Sports has reported.

Still replaces Javi Gracia, who resigned after just three months in charge, continuing a period of managerial churn for the Championship club. Still arrives with a growing reputation on the continent and most recently served as caretaker manager at Belgian giants Anderlecht.

The appointment also brings a familiar surname back into English football. Still is the younger brother of former Southampton boss Will Still, but Watford will hope his own ideas and authority quickly establish him in a demanding environment.

Speaking to the club’s website, Still said he was “thrilled and proud” to take on the role, describing Watford as a club with a significant place in the English game. His focus, he stressed, is immediate results, with a promise of aggressive, compact football built on defensive organisation and pace in attack.

Still will take charge of his first match on Saturday away at Preston, a fixture that offers an early test of his impact. Charlie Daniels, who oversaw the side on an interim basis, has been retained as first-team coach alongside Karim Belhocine.

For Watford, the hope is that Still’s energy and clarity can finally bring stability and momentum to a season that has already seen significant upheaval.

GFN | Finn Entwistle