He was the man they wanted from the start. The only question was whether he wanted them.

Marco Silva's departure from Hull City was only announced on Thursday - and within 48 hours, he had signed a two-year deal at Vicarage Road. Watford have got their new head coach, and quicker than anyone expected.

The youthful good looks, the good football and likeability factor - hey, even speaking English - were exactly what the doctor ordered for and under-the-weather Watford, and at stark contrast with the outgoing Walter Mazzarri.

The Hornets' official confirmation of his signing was all the more impressive considering Silva was one of the most eligible batchelors in the managerial scene, having almost saved Hull from relegation in the latest of a number of impressive spells on his CV.

No one particularly expected a rapid appointment, given the various options at Silva's disposal, and Watford owner Gino Pozzo had already drawn up potential candidates should the 39-year-old turn down his offer.

Before even setting foot in Hertfordshire he had already travelled back to his home country to speak with Porto earlier this week, a club where he could realistically win a league title and enjoy a decent Champions League run by this time next year.

But Silva's desire to prove himself in any role is evident, and he has no need to do so in Portugal, where he has already enjoyed his greatest success.

His home country was where he began his managerial career and was quickly turning heads for his work in taking little-known Estoril from second-tier obscurity to the Europa League in less than two years.

He was soon poached by Sporting Lisbon, and in 2015 led them to their first major silverware for seven years.

Even so, Silva was out the door before summer was out - for the audacity of not wearing an official suit during a cup match. He claimed he only had one suit, and presumably it was at the cleaners'.

A year in Greece bought him more glory, and a 43rd Superleague title for Olympiacos.

That in itself might not seem impressive, but it looks a lot better when considering the 30-point margin Silva forged over second-placed Panathinaikos was the largest, by some margin, since the Greek Football Association began awarding three points for a league victory in 1992.

Again though, he didn't hang round long, citing personal reasons upon leaving the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in June last year.

His next stop was England - and herein lies the harsh truth - the only country where Silva has truly failed.

His work at Hull City was impressive, no question, and was the driving force behind earning a move to Vicarage Road both for him and Pozzo.

Taking over a team with 13 points from 20 games, and a squad which would make the word threadbare seem bloated, getting Hull within two games of survival was truly impressive.

But Premier League survival was his remit - and the fact Hull will instead play in the second tier next season will have dented his considerable pride.

Being selfish, the Tigers' relegation is mutually beneficial for Silva and Watford.

A talented manager with a point to prove on these shores was always going to be tempted by the Hornets' offer.

And the fact he could leave the KCOM Stadium a free man would only have endeared him to Pozzo more.

Even so, Watford do not pay their managers the big bucks. They awarded Mazzarri a modest salary this time last year, certainly less than the going rate in the Premier League, and in the wake of his dismissal talks with former Bayer Leverkusen Roger Schmidt collapsed over monetary disputes.

It is with that in mind that it is clear Silva's willingness to take over at Watford, rather than play the field, is far removed from chasing the dollar bill.

Palace could, and would have offered more to lure him to Selhurst Park, but it is understood no contact was made from chairman Steve Parrish by the time Silva first entered discussions with the Hornets yesterday.

Pozzo has made no secret of the fact Silva was his first choice to replace Mazzarri, and that, coupled with the speed with which a deal was presented, will sit well with the young manager - or rather now head coach.

Silva did not enjoy the easiest of times under Hull owner Hassam Allam last season, but knows he will be backed at Vicarage Road, and that there is potential both within the squad and with a fair number of summer additions to follow.

Pozzo's penchant for greener grass was never likely to bother him overly either - only at Estoril has he lasted longer than a single season, and notably his deal is a year shorter than the one Mazzarri signed last May.

It seems clear both parties are here for a good time, not a long time - but, with his undoubted ability, Silva's point to English football could well be proven during his time at Vicarage Road.