Watford’s future could rest in the hands of either Vladimir Ivic or Gerhard Struber, with the Hornets understood to have made contact with both managers over their vacant head coach position.

Reports emerged a few days ago that Ivic, the former Maccabi Tel-Aviv coach, was being lined up for talks with Watford for the position after impressing during his time in Israel.

Those reports have since been confirmed by sources close to the coach, who is believed to be interested in joining the club.

Ivic only left Tel Aviv this month where he won back-to-back league titles and lost just eight times from a total of 91 matches.

During an impressive two year spell at the Israeli club, the 43-year-old won 61 games, racking up a 2.25 points-per-game average. In that period, his side scored 168 times and conceded just 48.

Prior to that, he was in charge of Greek side PAOK, with whom he won the 2017 Greek Cup.

Watford Observer:

Ivic is not the only person in the running for the position however, with Barnsley boss Struber also being approached.

The Austrian successfully kept the Tykes in the Championship last season following a tough campaign and is believed to have been high on the list of replacements for Nigel Pearson following his sacking after a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United and an argument with owner Gino Pozzo.

Struber only joined Barnsley back in November and has a contract with the Yorkshire club until 2022, meaning a compensation package would have to be agreed before he would be able to come to Vicarage Road.

It is now up to Pozzo and CEO and chairman Scott Duxbury to decide who they feel will be best suited to succeed in the role, although it is believed other names are also being considered.