Ex-Brighton boss Oscar Garcia in talks with Watford to become new manager

Oscar Garcia has held detailed talks with Watford as they seek a successor to Beppe Sannino.

Sannino resigned yesterday despite leading the club to second in the Championship after four wins from their opening five matches. After it became clear he would leave, the Pozzo family who own the club began discussions with Garcia, 41.

Garcia led Brighton to the play-offs in the second tier last season before resigning. The Spaniard also has offers in his home country but is keen to stay in England and believes Watford gives him the ideal chance to manage in the Premier League next season.

Despite Watford’s strong start to the campaign, Sannino is thought to have become disillusioned in recent weeks. There were question marks about his relationship with some of his players and his training methods, and while the Italian’s English was improving, it was still some way from being fluent.

Sannino is also thought to have had concerns about the size of the squad, which he believed was too big. The writing seemed to be on the wall when Lloyd Dyer appeared to shout angrily at Sannino after scoring in last month’s win at Rotherham.

If Watford cannot agree terms with front-runner Garcia, it is thought Roberto Di Matteo, the former Chelsea manager, is also on their list.

Whoever manages Watford will have to be content to be a coach alone. Via the vast network of scouts who also serve Udinese and Granada, the other clubs they own, the Pozzos control the movement of players to and from their clubs.