Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury has claimed that the club's hierarchy is looking forward to working with "highly-regarded" Walter Mazzarri after appointing the Italian as head coach.
The Hornets announced on Saturday morning that the 54-year-old has agreed a three-year deal.
Mazzarri heads to Vicarage Road on the back of stints at Sampdoria, Inter Milan and Napoli, where he won the Coppa Italia and guided the club to second in Serie A in the 2012-13 season.
Following the appointment, Duxbury told the club's official website: "Walter has been the target of a number of approaches for his services, so we're delighted to secure him as head coach here at Watford.
"We're thoroughly looking forward to working with such a highly-regarded coach, with the progress and development of the club always remaining the highest priority."
The Italian replaces Quique Flores, who left at the end of the season after comfortably keeping Watford in the Premier League and guiding them to an FA Cup semi-final.