Watford are hoping to appoint Vladimir Ivic as their new head coach before they begin pre-season next week.
The club have been on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Nigel Pearson before the final two games of the Premier League season.
Hayden Mullins was placed in interim charge for those matches but, following Watford’s relegation to the Championship, a search for a permanent successor has stepped up.
The Watford hierarchy have now found their man after being impressed with Ivic during his interview.
The 43-year-old has held extensive talks with the club and is set to be appointed on a two-year contract.
A few details of the deal are still to be finalised, but Watford hope to have Ivic in place by Monday so he can take charge of training as pre-season begins.
The Serbian, who will be Watford’s fourth permanent boss in less than 12 months, is currently a free agent but comes with a good reputation from his time with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Ivic led them to back-to-back league titles, winning the first one by a record 31-point margin and during the second season his team lost just once.
