Watford Sack Javi Gracia & Appoint Former Boss Quique Sanchez Flores as New Head Coach

Watford have officially confirmed the appointment of former boss Quique Sanchez Flores as the club's new head coach, shortly after confirming the departure of Javi Gracia.

Gracia led the Hornets to the FA Cup final last season, and enjoyed a relatively successful spell in charge before some terrible early form in the new Premier League campaign.​ Watford lost their first three games to Brighton, Everton and ​West Ham, before earning a draw away at Newcastle last weekend.

Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the result wasn't enough to save his job, as Watford announced his departure on Saturday evening.

A short statement read: "Watford Football Club confirms the departure of Head Coach Javi Gracia. Gracia’s staff will also be leaving the club, ahead of the imminent appointment of a new coaching team.

"Everyone at the Hornets wishes Javi and his staff all the very best for the future, and they will always be welcome visitors in the future at Vicarage Road."

Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury said: "Javi has represented Watford with great dignity and will always be deserving of our fullest respect for his achievements."

The club shortly after ​confirmed the re-appointment of Sanchez Flores at Vicarage Road, after an initial spell in charge during the club's first season back in the top flight in 2015/16. The club have yet to release any word on the length of his contract, but appear to have been working on this transition for some time given the swiftness of it.

Sanchez Flores has managed Espanyol and Shanghai Shenhua since leaving, but now returns with a job on his hands to pick the club off the roof of the table.