Championship club Watford are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Alessio Dionisi as head coach after undertaking lengthy discussions with the former Empoli boss.
The Hornets opted to cut ties with former boss Ed Still in May, less than three months after he was appointed as Javi Gracia's successor.
A desperately disappointing end to the campaign, in which Watford finished 16th, culminated in Vicarage Road bosses pulling the plug on the 35-year-old's tenure in charge.
Speculation has been rife as to who will replace him this summer, and it's now come to light that the relatively unknown Italian, Alessio Dionisi, is set to be handed the Hertfordshire reins.
Posting on social media on Wednesday, football guru Fabrizio Romano provided a significant update on the club's search for a new head coach.
"Watford are closing in on a deal to appoint Alessio Dionisi as new head coach - decision made," he posted.
Two year contract set to be agreed. Watford hopeful to close the deal this week.
- Fabrizio Romano (X)
Italian journalist Luca Cerchione first reported the Hornets' interest in Dionisi last week, with the former Empoli and Sassuolo boss on the hunt for a new position.
The 46-year-old was dismissed by Empoli in March after a disappointing second spell in the Carlo Castellani Stadium hotseat.
However, it appears the Watford hierarchy have looked beyond his recent tenure and will be hoping he can display the same credentials that made him one of the most highly-regarded coaches in Italian football a few years ago.
Renowned for his front-footed, high-tempo and aggressive style of play, Dionisi enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2020/21, leading Empoli to the Serie B title, before being appointed as Roberto De Zerbi's replacement at Sassuolo.
Back-to-back mid-table finishes in the Italian top-flight followed, before he was dismissed with the club languishing towards the foot of the Serie A table in 2024.
A short spell in charge of Palermo followed between June 2024 and June 2025, whilst his five month spell back at Empoli was brought to an abrupt end earlier this year.
