Nigel Gibbs' return to Watford seemed the perfect fit. It was all agreed so why did ‘Mr Watford’ decide to opt for Ian Holloway and Millwall instead?

Gibbs is a genuine Watford FC legend; only injury deprived him of being the club’s highest appearance maker during two decades in the first team.

The manner of his departure from Vicarage Road in 2005 still irks many supporters. The former defender had previously made no secret of his desire to return ‘home’ and it appeared that day had come.

On December 5 I learned ‘Sir Nigel’ had agreed to join the Golden Boys as assistant coach. That night he sat alongside owner Gino Pozzo and chief executive Scott Duxbury during the Fulham match.

So what happened in-between that memorable win at Craven Cottage and Monday’s announcement he had joined Millwall as first team coach?

Gibbs declined the chance to comment on the matter and is unlikely to talk publicly about what has happened. Watford also wouldn’t make a statement.

Having not spoken to Gibbs’ about the matter, there could be another reason I am not aware of but I believe Gibbs had a change of heart after head coach Slavisa Jokanovic asked for a couple of days to consider the situation following their initial meeting – which took place after the club had already agreed terms with the ex-Reading and Leeds United assistant manager.

I was also told the job role, as one of three assistant coaches to Jokanovic, was a little different to what Gibbs was expecting but I believe that was not the main factor for turning down the Hornets’ job offer.

It appears the delay for Jokanovic’s seal of approval left Gibbs unsure whether he was wanted by the Serbian even though time eventually showed that he was.

Personally I believe it would be unfair to solely blame Jokanovic for denying the Hornets fans the homecoming they craved.

For many Watford fans they would deem those extra days Jokanovic requested as unnecessary. After all, Gibbs is a well-respected coach, widely recognised as being one of football’s nice guys and is a club legend. What is there to consider? But as a foreign coach with limited knowledge of Gibbs’ pedigree, you can understand why he wanted to do his own research.

Part of the problem seems to have been the order of events.

The club were the ones who highlighted Gibbs as the seemingly perfect candidate and recommended him to Jokanovic.

I understand negotiations had all been completed but Jokanovic was to have the final say on the appointment so met with Gibbs early last week.

Jokanovic asked for a couple of days to consider the appointment before asking the club to finalise the agreement a few days later.

The Serbian was happy with the appointment but the delay for the confirmation left Gibbs unsure. It allowed Holloway to capitalise.

Gibbs will be first team coach alongside assistant manager Marc Bircham. It is a traditional British coaching structure.

Watford is unlike most clubs in this country and work with a continental system. The owner, sporting director Luke Dowling and head scout Filippo Giraldi are all influential in the background and Jokanovic plans to have three assistant coaches at a similar level.

Joining Watford would have been a leap into the unknown for Gibbs and it seems the delay meant he didn’t receive the assurances needed, with Millwall waiting in the wings.

Yesterday Jokanovic refused to discuss whether the meeting went well and if he had expected Gibbs to join his staff.

“Nigel found another solution. It is a big club and I wish him all the best in that job. My job is now to find what we need and what is important for us,” Jokanovic said.

Watford still want to bring another British coach to the club and Jokanovic said: “We need an English guy on the coaching staff. We will continue working to find one. It is not urgent but I expect someone will arrive to help us.”