Watford appoint Serb Slavisa Jokanovic to replace Billy McKinlay as manager

Slavisa Jokanovic: Spent two years at Chelsea as a player

Watford have named former Chelsea player Slavisa Jokanovic as their fourth boss in six weeks.

The Serb replaces Billy McKinlay, whose eight-day spell in charge has come to a shock end after two games and no defeats.

Jokanovic twice won the Serbian league and cup double with Partizan Belgrade towards the end of the last decade and has since managed in Thailand, Bulgaria and Spain.

The 46-year-old, who spent two seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea, arrives at Vicarage Road with his new club third in the Championship.

Watford owner Gino Pozzo said: "Our job is always to act in the best long-term interests of this football club. There can be no compromise on this - whatever the circumstances.

"I fully support and endorse the view from our technical staff that, given the talented squad which has been assembled and our position in the league, an experienced head coach with a winning pedigree is of primary importance to help ensure the success we are all striving for.

"The supporters of Watford have always been very understanding towards our project here and I am certain they will continue to do everything they can to support the new coach and his squad."

McKinlay's reign - the sixth shortest in English football history - followed Oscar Garcia's four weeks in charge.

Garcia succeeded Beppe Sannino at the beginning of September but stepped down for health reasons before the month was out.