Gianluca Vialli was yesterday unveiled as the man chosen to succeed Graham Taylor at Watford, resurrecting a managerial career seemingly derailed when Chelsea sacked him last September amid allegations of dressing-room unrest.

But it is never easy to displace a local legend, and Vialli has chosen to wash his hands of the old regime. In will come several friends from his Chelsea days, likely to include Ray Wilkins and Ray Lewington, while out go Luther Blissett, Tom Walley and Kenny Jackett, ending 25year associations with the club.

Their departure was criticised by Taylor but Vialli is determined to be surrounded by allies.

"At Chelsea I felt I couldn't express myself, but here I think I can get what I need," he said. "That doesn't mean to buy the best players but to be free to have ideas and to see them implemented."

Rangers have brought in former Ajax boss Jan Wouters as first team coach.

Wouters played under Dick Advocaat when the Rangers manager was in charge of the Dutch national team.