Watford ties down coach Gracia to long-term deal

Published Nov. 28, 2018 11:32 a.m. ET

WATFORD, England (AP) — Watford has tied down coach Javi Gracia to a new 4 1/2-year contract, a rare show of commitment by a Premier League club that has constantly changed its manager over the past decade.

Watford announced the deal for Gracia on Wednesday. It keeps him at the team based just north of London until 2023, with an option for a further three years.

The 48-year-old Spaniard joined Watford in January as its 13th manager since November 2008. He is the fourth manager since the club returned to the Premier League in 2015.

Watford is in ninth place in the Premier League after 13 games of Gracia's first full season in charge.