The Watford Observer understands Slavisa Jokanovic was interviewed for the Hornets' head coach position almost seven weeks ago when the club were looking for a replacement for Beppe Sannino. - something the Serbian has denied.

Jokanovic became the Golden Boys’ fourth head coach in just over five weeks when he replaced Billy McKinlay nine days ago.

Last week he stated serious talks with the Golden Boys began two days before he was named as McKinlay’s replacement but revealed that discussions had taken place “many days” before.

That seemed to suggest Jokanovic was approached just a few days after McKinlay was hired, with the Scot only holding the position for eight days.

However, we understand Jokanovic was second choice to Oscar Garcia following Sannino’s departure, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss’ Championship experience proving key.

We understand Jokanovic’s personal terms and other key factors were agreed at that time, which enabled his swift appointment following the decision to replace McKinlay.

But Jokanovic denied that was the case this afternoon and today said talks with the club only started on the Sunday or Monday prior to his arrival.

Watford and McKinlay’s representative refused to discuss his departure but we have been told the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder was given a year’s salary when he was replaced just eight days after being appointed head coach and 11 after he was brought to the club as first-team coach.

McKinlay was told he could have his assistant role back when the club hired Jokanovic but he rejected the offer.

Owner Gino Pozzo stated the club wanted a more experienced head coach, with Jokanovic previously guiding Partizan Belgrade to the Serbian league and cup double in consecutive seasons and winning the Thai title with Muangthong United.

The Hornets’ new head coach also had an unsuccessful spell in Bulgaria with Levski Sofia and was at Spanish third division side Hercules when he was appointed by the Golden Boys.

Last week I questioned if something happened during McKinlay’s week in charge which resulted in Watford deciding to replace the 45-year-old.

But a club source insisted this week that McKinlay’s lack of managerial experience was the sole reason and the decision was made once the owner had time to reflect on the appointment, following two games in four days.

It appears McKinlay’s appointment was rushed due to Garcia’s decision to resign a day before the Hornets’ match with Brentford and just a couple of hours after he appeared in the club’s team photo.

In a statement on the club’s website, Pozzo said ‘I fully support and endorse the view from our technical staff’ and we understand he was referring to Watford employees and not those at the family’s other clubs.

The Pozzos do use centralised staff for scouting and to monitor the players’ physical data from training but we have been told senior staff at Udinese and Granada have no influence on the operational side of the Hornets.

Watford have a key group of staff that discuss footballing matters, which include the head coach and his staff, new sporting director Luke Dowling, chief scout Filippo Giraldi and Pozzo. Chief executive Scott Duxbury is also among those consulted.

The Golden Boys have yet to decide if they will hire another British assistant coach, with Ruben Martinez possessing experience of the Championship following his ten months at Brighton.

The Pozzos attempt to keep settled staff so when they change their head coach it minimises the disruption caused. A large proportion of the backroom staff have remained since Gianfranco Zola’s reign.

Garcia’s assistants, Martinez and Javier Pereira, have been retained and we believe it is currently unlikely Jokanovic will be bringing any staff with him to Vicarage Road.