Watford set sights on ex-Inter Milan boss after confirming Quique Flores departure - 7M sport

Watford set sights on ex-Inter Milan boss after confirming Quique Flores departure

WATFORD have set their sights on Walter Mazzarri to replace Quique Flores in the Vicarage Road hot-seat.


Posted Saturday, May 14, 2016 by Express.co.uk

Watford set sights on ex-Inter Milan boss after confirming Quique Flores departure

The Italian, 54, is believed to have already held productive talks with Watford owner Gino Pozzo and his appointment could be announced by early as next week.

Former Inter Milan boss Mazzarri, who speaks good English, has an impressive CV having also taken charge of Sampdoria and Napoli.

He has been out of work since being fired by Inter in November 2014 but is now in line to become the seventh full-time manager in just four years during the Pozzo's reign.

Flores today confirmed the worst-kept secret that he would be leaving following Sunday's final-day clash with Sunderland.

He departs despite leading Watford to a mid-table finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

Flores, who has been touted for the vacant job at Championship side Leeds, refused to discount the prospect of extending his one-year stay in England.

"I would be happy to stay in England. I don't rule out anything," he said. "I am open to everything and everything is possible after I finish my contract.

"I love the Premier League. It's been an amazing experience. It's an amazing place to work but in football you never know what's coming next."

Flores' divorce from Watford had been known for some time. It had looked so rosy with Watford all but sealing their Premier League status before Christmas but a slump in 2016 soon raised the alarm bells in the boardroom.

Watford's march to the FA Cup semi-finals failed to mask the poor form and Flores paid the price for winning four times in the league this year.

Pozzo has shown he is no stranger to making controversial decisions. He sacked Slavisa Jokanovic after leading Watford up so triggering a break clause to end the Spaniard's two-year contract 12 months early should come as no great surprise.

Flores says he bears no grudges following the decision and said: "The club and me don't have the same point of view about the season.

"I understand the board's decision. I have a good relationship with the owner. I can understand everything. Basically, we looked at the season from a different point of view.

"He knows what our results were and they were very good. But when the points of view are different it is better to separate. It's not about the contract - it's about the conditions of this season and how we looked on the season.

"When you feel that points of view are not the same it is better to be honest and to say, 'Relax and don't activate the next clause. I think it's better to finally shake hands'."

Flores is a popular figure at Watford and supporters will be sorry to see another new man heading to the dugout.

Having achieved Watford's aim of securing top-flight football next season, he will certainly receive a rapturous reception when he signs off for a final time tomorrow.

He added: "It's better like this - to say goodbye now and have an amazing feeling on the last day.

"This has been one of the most enjoyable times of my career. I was expecting and waiting for a long time to come to England. It's been impossible not to enjoy the atmosphere here.

"I've had the opportunity to know the Premier League. We've enjoyed an amazing journey. I've been part of an historic Watford team so I feel completely happy and free. But it will be emotional on Sunday."



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