Watford have confirmed the appointment of Nigel Pearson as their new head coach on a deal that will initially run until the end of the season.

The 56-year-old, as expected, will take up his new post next week, with interim boss Hayden Mullins remaining in charge of the team for tomorrow's game against Crystal Palace.

Hornets chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury told the club website: “Nigel is an impressive coach and comes with all of the experience and success we believe can have a very positive impact on our season.

“It’s been a pleasure spending time listening to the passion with which he talks about the game. His enthusiasm, organisation and motivation will I’m certain prove essential in driving the team forwards and upwards over the coming weeks and months.”

The new head coach has expressed his pleasure at being appointed by the Hornets.

He tweeted @NigelGPearson: "I'm really delighted to be back working in the Premier League with @WatfordFC; a huge challenge for us all, but one that we can achieve if we all work together. Thank you all for the kind wishes. Cheers, Nige. #watfordfc"

The new head coach reportedly held talks yesterday and negotiations moved swiftly, enabling the deal to be agreed.

Pearson is best known for his two spells at Leicester City, during which he guided the Foxes to Premier League safety with a run of seven wins in nine games in the 2014/15 season, having looked doomed to relegation with just 10 points from their first 18 games.

The former Derby County and Hull City boss had led Leicester to the Championship title the previous season, having missed out in the play-offs the previous campaign in that never-to-be-forgotten semi-final defeat to Gianfranco Zola's Hornets' side.

The ex-defender has also held managerial roles at Carlisle United and Southampton, took charge of the England Under-21 side for one game in 2007 and was most recently at the helm of OH Leuven in Belgium.

Duxbury has also praised Mullins for stepping up from his Under-23 duties to take charge of the first team.

He said: “I’d like to thank Hayden Mullins for stepping in to coach the team on an interim basis. He is fully deserving of everyone’s gratitude.

“Tomorrow gives the perfect opportunity for Nigel to be officially introduced to our supporters as Hayden leads the team in the quest for a very important three points.”