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Watford Appoint Vladimir Ivic as New Head Coach to Replace Nigel Pearson

Vladimir Ivic has experience managing in Europe. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
Vladimir Ivic has experience managing in Europe. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Watford Appoint Vladimir Ivic as New Head Coach to Replace Nigel Pearson

Vladimir Ivic has experience managing in Europe. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
Vladimir Ivic has experience managing in Europe. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters

Watford have confirmed the appointment of Vladimir Ivic as their new head coach.

The 43-year-old has signed a one-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months in the club’s favor.

He replaces Nigel Pearson who left the club in July before the Hornets were relegated from the Premier League.

“First of all, from the beginning I have a big expectation of myself and of my coaching staff,” Ivić said.

“It’s my first time in England and I need to adapt as fast as possible, to do the best for the club is very important to me.”

Ivic has previously managed Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Paok Salonika, winning two league titles in charge of the former.

“I’ve worked with my coaching staff for three years, so I know that we will ask the most from ourselves so we can help the players to achieve the club’s goals.”

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Relief for Belgium but Questions for the Defense After Dramatic Win Over Wales 

Belgium's midfielder #07 Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring Belgium's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J European qualification football match between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 9, 2025. (AFP)
Belgium's midfielder #07 Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring Belgium's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J European qualification football match between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 9, 2025. (AFP)
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Relief for Belgium but Questions for the Defense After Dramatic Win Over Wales 

Belgium's midfielder #07 Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring Belgium's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J European qualification football match between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 9, 2025. (AFP)
Belgium's midfielder #07 Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring Belgium's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J European qualification football match between Belgium and Wales at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 9, 2025. (AFP)

There was relief for Belgium after scraping through a dramatic World Cup qualifier against Wales on Monday, but plenty for coach Rudi Garcia to ponder after a narrow 4-3 home win.

Belgium had been cruising at 3-0 up inside the first half-hour of the Group J match at the King Baudouin Stadium but Wales fought back to 3-3 with 20 minutes left before Kevin De Bruyne grabbed the winner two minutes from time.

"The most important thing is that we won. Psychologically it is tough to give away a three-goal lead, but we showed our mental strength," said Garcia after Belgium's second game in their qualifying group for the 2026 finals in North America.

"We kept fighting. It is symbolic that Kevin of all people scored the winning goal."

De Bruyne had been a key factor throughout, ghosting in at the back post to convert Youri Tielemans’ cross for the winner.

Tielemans, who was captain for the night, said relief was the primary emotion after the game.

"We are happy with the victory, but we know that should not have happened to us," he said of the Welsh comeback.

"I have no explanation for how that happened. But the craziest things can happen with the national team.

"We felt we could finish the match earlier, but then we dropped off a bit. Then we conceded a goal and their confidence grew. They were simply the better team at that moment.

"We had to defend together as a team, choose the right moment to react and get back into the match but we didn't do that well."

Belgium conceded a late equalizer in their group opener against North Macedonia on Friday and the defense will come under more scrutiny after allowing Wales to score three.

Belgium travel to Liechtenstein on Sept. 4 for their next qualifier before hosting Kazakhstan three days later.