WATFORD’S No7

WATFORD want Walter Mazzarri to take over after sacking manager Quique Sanchez Flores yesterday.

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

Former Inter Milan boss Mazzarri, left, 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 Watford manager in just four years during Pozzo’s reign.

Spaniard Flores yesterday confirmed that he will be leaving after tomorrow’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, below, who has been touted for the vacant job at Leeds, said: “I don’t rule out anything. I am open to everything and everything is possible.”

It had looked so rosy for Flores, with Watford all but sealing their Premier League status before Christmas.

However, a slump in 2016 soon raised the alarm bells in the boardroom. Flores paid the price for winning only four times in the league this year. “The club and me don’t have the same point of view about the season,” he said. “I understand the board’s decision. I have a good relationship with the owner. Basically, we looked at the season from a different point of view.” Flores is a popular figure at Watford and the supporters will certainly give him a great reception when he signs off tomorrow.