Sunday 14 June 2015 23:35, UK
Former Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic has been appointed as the new manager of Israeli treble winners Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Serb Jokanovic led Watford to promotion to the Premier League last season after they finished runners-up to Bournemouth in the Sky Bet Championship, but he failed to agree a new deal at Vicarage Road and was replaced by Quique Sanchez Flores.
Jokanovic takes over from Spaniard Pako Ayesteran, who was a late recruit at the start of last term and led Maccabi to a unique domestic treble and Champions League qualifying spot.
"We are extremely pleased to secure the services of Slavisa, especially after his recent success and the obvious interest of other clubs," Maccabi owner Mitch Goldhar said on the club's website.
As a player Jokanovic, 46, won 64 caps in midfield for Yugoslavia before starting his coaching career at Partizan Belgrade who he led to two consecutive league and cup doubles.
Later he coached in Thailand, Bulgaria and Spain before going to Watford in October 2014.
Maccabi's league triumph secured a hat-trick of titles and they also won the State Cup with a record 6-2 win over Hapoel Beersheba as well as the lesser Toto Cup.
Maccabi, founded in 1905, are the most decorated club in Israel and were a dominant force in previous decades but found titles hard to come by since beating Maccabi Haifa on goal difference to the league title in 2002-03.
Their recent change in fortunes was brought about through Canadian Goldhar's large investment in the club and a management team led by Jordi Cruyff, Maccabi's sports director.
