Watford have arranged for head coach Walter Mazzarri to undergo intensive English lessons during the summer break and have involved him in preparing their pre-season tour, the Watford Observer understands.

Speculation has begun to increase over the Italian's future in recent weeks but the latest development suggests owner Gino Pozzo, as sources have previously reported to this newspaper, will go against his recent form and keep his man at the helm at least into the start of next season.

Pozzo has been frustrated with his countryman's inability to learn English, but in recent weeks Mazzarri has made more of an effort to depart from his native tongue.

And he conducted part of his post-match television commitments without the aid of translator Lorenzo Libutti after Monday's defeat to Liverpool.

The last Watford boss to remain in a job beyond the end of one campaign was Beppe Sannino in 2014, and even he was given the chop only weeks into the following season - but Pozzo has seen enough from his head coach to keep faith with the former Napoli and Inter Milan boss for now.

Mazzarri has also been involved in organising the Hornets' pre-season tour - which sources have revealed will again see players and staff spend several days in Austria, as they did before the start of 2016/17.