Hyde returns to Watford in academy coaching role

Former Watford midfielder Micah Hyde has returned to the club he spent seven years with as a player after being appointed academy head of coaching.

The 50-year-old made 286 appearances for the Hornets between 1997 and 2004, and helped them win promotion to the Premier League in 1999.

Hyde joins after five years at QPR as a senior professional development coach in the Hoops' academy. He replaces Jimmy Gilligan, who left Vicarage Road earlier this month.

Academy director and fellow ex-Watford midfielder Richard Johnson said he is "looking forward to rekindling the partnership" he had on the pitch with Hyde.

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Micah for a long time, going back to our playing days under Graham Taylor where we shared great success," Johnson told the club website.

"It was important to me that Jimmy's replacement not only had the skills and knowledge to do the job so we can keep driving the progress of the academy forward, but it was also of equal importance that the new head of coaching understood the values and standards that Jimmy and I have tried to instill.

"Micah shares those values and understands the importance of what the football club means to the wider community."