--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T18:52:15.156Z last_updated: 2026-06-08T16:30:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/watford/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2F0Zm9yZG9ic2VydmVyLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2MTc2NzE0LndhdGZvcmQtZHVlLXNlYWwtYWxlc3Npby1kaW9uaXNpLWFwcG9pbnRtZW50LXdlZWsvP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Watford due to seal Dionisi appointment this week - **Source:** - **Published:** 8 Jun - **Club:** Watford - **Original URL:** https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/26176714.watford-due-seal-alessio-dionisi-appointment-week/?ref=rss Watford are ready to confirm the appointment of Alessio Dionisi as their new head coach this week, The Watford Observer understands. Talks with Dionisi were reported last Wednesday and it is believed the Italian has now agreed terms to take charge at Vicarage Road. Securing the release of the 46-year-old's contract from Empoli is understood to be the only detail left to be sorted before he is announced as Ed Still's successor. Dionisi was hired by the Serie B club in October 2025 and, despite leaving in March, still has 12 months of that contract remaining. He may have to essentially 'resign' - forgoing a year of pay - to take up the reins at Watford. The imminent new boss held his first meeting with training ground staff on an online call today (Monday) and is set to bring three members of staff with him, including Luca Vigiani, who was a member of Walter Mazzarri's coaching team in 2016/17. Vigiani worked as a coach under Dionisi at both Palermo and Empoli. The appointment of Dionisi is said to have been driven by owner Gino Pozzo, sporting director Gian Luca Nani and head of recruitment Andrea Papadia. Nani and Papadia have led talks with various candidates from across Europe, with chairman Scott Duxbury outlining the need for a coach who has "won leagues and knows how to get promoted". More: Irankunda stars, Selvik features and Chakvetadze injured on international duty Dionisi won the Serie B title with Empoli in 2020/21 before being appointed as Roberto De Zerbi's replacement at Sassuolo in Serie A. He led them to 11th and 13th in his two complete seasons but was sacked in February 2024 as they battled relegation. Dionisi then took charge of Palermo, owned by the City Football Group, with whom the Hornets have a strong bond having loaned Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni from Manchester City last season. The relationship dates back to when Nani signed Pep Guardiola for Brescia in 2003 and it is understood it played a role in deciding to hire Dionisi. He couldn't take Palermo up into Serie A, though, before lasting just five months of his two-year deal when returning to Empoli last season. The Watford Observer has been told by a couple of Italian journalists that Dionisi speaks English and will be able to communicate well. It has been over five weeks since Still was sacked, with Duxbury having initially said on May 15 that two candidates were in advanced talks to take over. The club spoke with with Danish coach Niels Frederiksen, but he decided to remain at Polish champions Lech Poznan, who have qualified for next season's Champions League.