Watford have announced the appointment of former Malaga and Rubin Kazan coach Javi Gracia as Marco Silva's successor on an 18-month contract.
Silva's dismissal was confirmed on Sunday, after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Leicester City left them with just one win from 11 Premier League outings.
But Watford's decision was based on Everton's pursuit of Silva in November, when the Merseyside club attempted to lure the Portuguese coach away from Vicarage Road.
Watford felt that situation caused a "significant deterioration" in the their fortunes, a claim supported by the fact that the club have lost seven of the 10 league matches since Sam Allardyce took the reins at Goodison Park.