Former midfielder Valon Behrami is on the verge of returning to Watford to work as assistant to the club’s Sporting Director, Gian Luca Nani.
The 40-year-old is expected to take up his new role during the summer, and the Watford Observer understands he will be supporting the work of Nani, and is not being brought in to replace him.
Behrami played for the Hornets between 2015 and 2017, having moved to Vicarage Road from Hamburg.
Capped 83 times by Switzerland, whom he represented at four consecutive World Cup Finals, Behrami began his career with the likes of Lugano, Genoa and Lazio before moving for his first stint in England.
He joined West Ham in 2008 and went on to make 63 Premier League appearances for the east London side.
After four seasons of Serie A football with Fiorentina and Napoli, he moved to Germany before joining Watford in 2015.
He was among a clutch of summer signings made by Quique Sanchez Flores which also included Etienne Capoue, Jose Holebas and Sebastian Prodl.
He made 49 appearances for the Hornets, coming to prominence in his second season at the club under Walter Mazzarri.
He partnered Capoue in midfield for all but one of his 49 Watford appearances, featuring in famous wins such as 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory away at Arsenal in 2016 and the 3-1 success over Manchester United at Vicarage Road a few months later.
Following a path well-trodden by players leaving Vicarage Road, Behrami joined Udinese in 2017 and spent two seasons with them.
After a very brief spell with Sion in the Swiss Super League, Behrami spent three seasons back in Italy with Genoa – 15 years after leaving them – and then ended his playing career with Brescia.
He worked for a time as Brescia’s assistant sporting director.
In total, the midfielder made more than 450 senior appearances during his career.
His wife, skier Laura Gut, was voted as Switzerland’s Sportswoman of the Year for the third time earlier this year.
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