Watford are to hold talks with Serbian Vladimir Ivic over becoming their new head coach.
The 43-year-old has left his post at Maccabi Tel Aviv where he won consecutive league titles in Israel and is a free agent.
Former Leicester City coach Claude Puel, currently at St Etienne, had been the early favourite to succeed Nigel Pearson prior to Watford's relegation.
Ivic would not command compensation and was on a relatively modest contract in Israel.
He is understood to be due to meet Watford's hierarchy in Italy this week for talks over the job.