Watford are set to sack head coach Paulo Pezzolano after just five months in charge - with former boss Javi Gracia in line to replace him.
Crunch talks were being held on Tuesday with the club hierarchy expected to part ways with Pezzolano.
The 42-year-old was appointed by the Hornets on May 13, replacing Tom Cleverley, who was sacked seven days earlier.
Sky Sports News understands Gracia, who was previously in charge for 66 games at Watford between January 2018 and September 2019, is the number one target to replace Pezzolano.
Gracia was due to fly to England to hold talks.
The Uruguayan had a mixed start in the Championship this season after being backed heavily in the transfer market.
Pezzolano has taken charge of 10 competitive games in all competitions.
Watford had taken five points from the first six Sky Bet Championship games, but they have taken seven points from the last three and moved to within three points of the play-off places.
Pezzolano's side came from behind to beat Oxford 2-1 last weekend.
Pezzolano's reign could become the third-shortest in Watford's history, behind only Oscar Garcia (four games, September 2014) and Billy McKinlay (two games, September to October 2014).
Watford analysis: Pozzo has lofty ambitions
Analysis from Sky Sports News' Anthony Joseph:
Pezzolano is set to become the 12th manager Watford have sacked in just five years.
He came in with high expectations and was billed as a "promotion specialist" - having reached the top division with clubs in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay.
Owner Gino Pozzo has lofty ambitions of promotion to the Premier League and the club spent big in the transfer window, including the marquee signing of Nestory Irankunda from Bayern Munich.
But it has been a mixed start this season for Pezzolano - and it appears he hasn't met the expectations of the club hierarchy.
Watford fans chanted "you're getting sacked in the morning" as they trailed Portsmouth at half-time last week. However, they did salvage a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park and followed it up with another comeback to beat Oxford United 2-1 at weekend.
The club now sit in 11th place in the English Championship having won three, drawn three and lost three. They were knocked out of the EFL Cup in the first round to Norwich City.
It's understood Gracia is the number one target to replace Pezzolano. He was due to fly to England for talks on Tuesday.
In his first spell at Vicarage Road, he steered the club to Premier League safety in 2018. The next season he took Watford to the FA Cup final and finished 11th in the league - their highest top-flight position since 1987.
However, he was sacked in his third season - with the club sitting bottom of the Premier League in September 2019.
That FA Cup run is still fairly fresh in the memory of the Watford support, who hold him in high regard.
Gracia was last in charge of Leeds United, when he replaced Jesse Marsch in February 2023.
The 55-year-old steered Leeds out of the relegation zone, but was relieved of his duties in May that year.
