Watford staff profiles
Pen pics of Watford's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here.
MANAGER/ TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
MANAGER
Javi Gracia
Nationality: Spanish
Took over from Marco Silva in January 2018. Has managed in Spain, Greece and Russia.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Filippo Giraldi
Nationality: Italian
Watched the Hornets for the Pozzo family prior to their takeover in 2012. Promoted from chief scout to current role in 2016.
COACHING
ASSISTANT
Jesus Casas
Nationality: Spanish
Spent three years at Barcelona as part of Luis Enrique’s coaching set-up. Worked under Gracia at Cádiz.
ASSISTANT
Zigor Aranalde
Nationality: Spanish
Arrived from Mallorca, where he was senior scout. Played for the likes of Walsall & Sheffield Wednesday before becoming International Scouting & Recruitment Manager at Brighton.
ASSISTANT
Juan Solla
Nationality: Spanish
Worked alongside Gracia at Cádiz, Villarreal B, Malaga and, most recently, Rubin Kazan.
GOALKEEPER COACH
Inigo Arteaga
Nationality: Spanish
Was GK coach under Gracia at Cádiz, Villarreal B, Olympiakos Volou, Kerkyra, Almeria, Osasuna, Malaga & Rubin Kazan.
SCIENCE & MEDICAL
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Emilio Lopez-Vidriero
Nationality: Spanish
Brought in in January 2018 because of the club's "frustrating injury record". Runs a private practice in Seville, where he treats many athletes.
HEAD OF MEDICAL
Dr Ian Hamilton
Nationality: English
Promoted to this new role in 2016.
HEAD OF PERFORMANCE THERAPY
Jeroen Peters
Nationality: Dutch
Joined in July 2017. Previously performance therapist & physio for Ajax in his native Holland.
SPORT SCIENTIST
Erik Svendsen
Nationality: Norwegian
Arrived as an intern in July 2013. Made full-time in April 2015.
PHYSIO
Pete Webb
Nationality: English
Recruited from Leyton Orient, where he was Head Physio, in March 2017.
CONSULTANT NUTRITIONIST
Scott Robinson
Nationality: English
Also works for Aston Villa and Norwich and has clients in F1, boxing and UFC.
REHAB SPECIALIST
Michael Spanou
Nationality: English
With the Hornets since September 2012. Previously worked for England lacrosse.
ANALYSTS
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
James Best
Nationality: English
Joined as an intern in July 2014. Full-time since August 2016.
