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Watford appoint ex-Hull City boss Marco Silva to replace Walter Mazzarri

Watford have confirmed the appointment of former Hull City boss Marco Silva.

Silva, 39, has signed a two-year deal at Vicarage Road after opting to leave Hull following their relegation from the Premier League. 

Watford made Silva their top target after parting company with Walter Mazzarri last week having seen the Portuguese come close to guiding Hull to safety following his appointment in January. 

Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury told the club's official website: "Marco was one of the most sought after head coaches in the Premier League.

"His pedigree and promise speaks for itself with his achievements in top divisions elsewhere across Europe, as well as his work at Hull City last season.

"We are delighted to have secured his services and to be welcoming a head coach of his profile and potential.

"It's an exciting time to be a Watford fan, and I'm sure all supporters will join me in offering Marco and his family the warmest of welcomes to Vicarage Road."

Silva had been linked with Porto and Crystal Palace before taking the Watford job.

Asked what attracted him to Watford, he said: "Firstly I really like the approach of the board and the owner. They showed me the project and I like the ambition.

"The club want to improve for the next seasons and this is what I try to fight for in my career as well -- to always improve, to do a good job and to ensure a good connection between the manager and the club.

"The ambition this club has is really important to me."

He said he is "excited" about the challenge ahead and added: "It's important to us that everybody knows what our goal is.

"The club is moving forward as a Premier League club but we always want to improve our position in the table and that's important for next season.

"We want to play good football so that our fans feel well when they come to see our team play."

Watford finished 17th in the Premier League, six points clear of Hull.

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