Watford next manager: Immediate contenders emerge after Javi Gracia's shock resignation

Watford have been rocked by the sudden resignation of manager Javi Gracia after a meeting with the owners on Sunday.

Gracia replaced Paulo Pezzolano in October, becoming the 22nd different manager to take charge at Vicarage Road since the Pozzo family purchased the club in 2012.

The Spaniard has joined several recently sacked Championship managers, in a string of key decisions over the past month.

Leicester City sacked Marti Cifuentes last week, and West Brom dismissed Ryan Mason at the start of the month.

Valerien Ismael is the bookies' favourite to be sacked next, but Gracia has beaten the Frenchman to the punch by handing in his resignation.

Watford confirm Javi Gracia resignation

Saturday saw Watford record a fifth consecutive game across all competitions without victory.

The Hornets were beaten 2-0 by Swansea City at Vicarage Road, with Marko Stamenic and Josh Key getting on the score sheet for the visitors before Nestory Irankunda was sent off to compound Gracia's misery.

The 55-year-old said after the game that he would be speaking to the owner about the situation of the team, but his resignation was not expected.

However, Watford announced on Sunday that they are "sad and disappointed" to confirm the departure of Gracia.

In a statement, Watford said: "We retain the belief Javi was the right man to lead the club towards its push for promotion, but Javi felt he no longer had the motivation and was not the right man to continue coaching this exciting group of young players."

Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa will take charge of the team against Hull City on Tuesday night, as the process to appoint yet another new manager begins.

The likely favourites to take over at Watford

Russell Martin is likely to feature highly among the favourites to take over at Watford following the departure of Gracia.

The Englishman is available following his dismissal at Rangers in October, and despite his terrible time there, he did take Southampton up to the Premier League.

Gary Rowett is another option, with the 51-year-old having a huge amount of experience coaching in the Championship and the ability to stabilise a struggling team.

Vitor Pereira would be a potentially exciting option, but it is not clear whether the Portuguese manager is willing to coach in the Championship following his exit from Wolves.

Also likely to be in contention are the likes of Lee Carsley and Gareth Southgate, but each and every candidate will face an important question themselves, as well.

The situation at Watford is unstable and uncertain. With the doors of Vicarage Road revolving under the ownership of the Pozzo family, the role may feel a poisoned chalice.

Nonetheless, an appointment will have to be made, and it will need to come swiftly if the Hornets are to retain any hope of finishing in a play-off spot.