Soccer: Vialli signs three year deal with Watford

Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli has been confirmed as the new manager of Watford.

The 36-year-old Italian will take over at the end of the season when Graham Taylor retires.

Watford goalkeeper Alex Chamberlain said: ‘‘It is a very positive appointment. It’s a difficult job following Graham Taylor, who has been very successful in his club management career and has a special affinity with Watford fans.

‘‘Vialli will be a good commercial appointment. Obviously there could be big changes.

‘‘He has the chance to prove he has different kind of management skills. At Chelsea he had vast sums of money. I wouldn’t have thought that would be the case at Watford.

‘‘He will have the chance to use his coaching skills here. We have a good crop of youngsters. I know people at the club will be very excited to work with someone of Vialli’s reputation,’’ he said.

Vialli is believed to have signed a three-year-deal with the Hornets and is expected to bring in former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins as his assistant.

Watford chairman Sir Elton John said: ‘‘I am incredibly excited that we have appointed Luca and his team. Following Graham Taylor is difficult and Graham is a legend.

‘‘When the board said they were thinking of getting Vialli I said that as a player he was one of my favourites. As a manager he did an incredible job at Chelsea. It is one of the most stunning coups we have pulled off.

‘‘It is the most exciting management appointment we could have made. I am sure Luca will build an incredible team. I know the supporters will support him.

‘‘I can’t wait for the beginning of next season. It is great that such a man of international status has taken over.’’

Vialli said: ‘‘I have missed you. I was probably a bit tired when I was relieved of the job by Chelsea.

‘‘I took some time off and had plenty of time to think what I wanted to do next.

‘‘I was surprised and flattered by the club’s approach. My aim was to work in football with people with the same philosophy as me.

‘‘I had to think carefully about this proposal but it took me a couple of weeks to realise that this is the club where I want to start again, where I want to give my best. I want to take Watford to the next level.

‘‘This club wants to belong in the Premiership. I will do my best to deliver. It will be a challenge but we have an exciting time ahead.’’

Vialli added: ‘‘I also know that it will not be easy to follow Graham Taylor’s footsteps but I will try my best to do a job as nearly as good as the job he has done in the last 13 years, and I hope we will have the success.

‘‘I don’t think I am here to prove a point, I am here to do a good job.

‘‘I had a great time at Chelsea and obviously things happen in life and things go wrong.

‘‘I am not resentful of Chelsea, I am just here to do a good job and take this club to the next level, and improve my skill as a manager.’’

Asked whether he knew what funds he had been allocated by the board for new players, Vialli added: ‘‘I am perfectly with what I have been told by the board.’’

He also said he hoped to bring some old friends on to the coaching staff with him.

‘‘I would like to bring a couple of people in with me who I trust and who can do a good honest job for the club.’’

The Italian denied he had to prove himself as a manager.

‘‘I think I have showed something in the past that’s why they came to speak to me.’’