Flores returns to Hornets after Gracia sacking
Quique Sanchez Flores has returned to Watford for a second spell as manager after Javi Gracia was sacked with the club bottom of the Premier League.
The Spaniard is the club’s 11th managerial change in just over eight years and his appointment was confirmed just 30 minutes after his compatriot’s departure had been announced.
Sanchez Flores, 54, previously guided the club to a comfortable mid-table finish during the 2015/16 season in the club’s first season back in the Premier League.
His return was deemed necessary as the Hornets have managed to score just two goals in the current campaign and have not won in eight league matches – scoring just five times in that period – stretching back to April.
Gracia did guide the club to their first FA Cup Final since 1984, but they were humiliated 6-0 by Manchester City, who equalled a 116-year record for the biggest victory in final history.
“Javi has represented Watford with great dignity and will always be deserving of our fullest respect for his achievements,” said chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury.
“Javi Gracia’s staff will also be leaving the club, ahead of the imminent appointment of a new coaching team.”
Michael O’Neill has called on his players to draw on the experience of four years ago as they continue their push for qualification for Euro 2020.
Germany will be the visitors to Windsor Park tomorrow night as Northern Ireland face an acid test of their ambitions to replicate their success in reaching Euro 2016, the nation’s first major finals in 34 years.
The Green and White Army have four wins out of four so far in Group C, but things get significantly tougher now as they must face both Germany and Holland home and away.
“The exciting bit is to believe they can do it,” he said. “The exciting bit for the lads who went to France was could they get out of a group that was difficult and they did.
“Those are all the things you draw on as a manager. My main priority is that injuries don’t catch up with us and leave us in a (difficult) scenario.”
Corry Evans, who captained the side in Thursday’s 1-0 friendly win over Luxembourg, said that belief now runs through the entire squad.
“I remember coming into the squad and to get a win was massive,” the 29-year-old said.
“Now we are going into games with a lot of confidence and that shows how far we have come as a squad.”