Watford's Wonderful Wizard

http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article5977065.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/New-Watford-manager-Quique-Sanchez-Flores-press-conference.jpg

---

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores will leave the club after their final match of the season on Sunday.

The Spaniard, 51, was appointed in June 2015 following the club's promotion to the Premier League. The Hornets are 13th in the Premier League, but have won just two of their past 11 top-flight games.

"The club and me don't have the same point of view about the season," said Sanchez, who also guided Watford to the FA Cup semi-finals. "We don't have the necessary conditions to activate the clause to renew my contract so I will leave Watford as a consequence. I felt completely happy with this year and I have enjoyed this experience."

Former Real Madrid and Valencia player Sanchez will leave after Sunderland visit Vicarage Road on Sunday.

"We would like to thank Quique," said a club statement. "He and the team achieved the target set at the start of the season of staying in the Premier League for a second year. Quique leaves with all our best wishes for the future and the knowledge he is always welcome at Vicarage Road."

The Hornets said last month they would only discuss Sanchez's future at the end of the season. The club are now looking for their seventh full-time manager since being taken over by the Pozzo family in June 2012. The Pozzo family also own Italian club Udinese and Spanish side Granada.

http://www.skysports.com/core/img/channels/Sky-Sports-Logo.png
http://static.goal.com/1948100/1948112_heroa.jpg

---

Star Man

Troy Deeney. Odio Ighalo was equally prolific in front of goal, but Deeney was the undisputed hero of an excellent campaign. Aside from his goals, his work-rate and attitude were exemplary and he became a totem among the fans. Honourable mentions for Ben Watson, Heurelho Gomes and Etienne Capoue.

Lame duck

Steven Berghuis arrived for almost £5million last summer but barely caused a ripple at Vicarage Road, failing to make a Premier League start. Now being linked with a move to Feyenoord, although you wonder if anyone would notice if he departed.

What went right?

Watford were eighth in the Premier League on Feb 13, and progressing serenely in the FA Cup, sparking wild talk of a European adventure. That form was based on the clinical form of Deeney and Oghalo, and a well-organised, hard-working defence that allowed more creative talents to flourish, especially away from home.

What went wrong?

Everyone appeared to take their eye off the ball. Oghalo, in particular, stopped scoring and the defence began to creak. If Quique Sanchez Flores was trying to keep his players fresh for the FA Cup semi-final, it backfired: an inexplicably flat performance saw them beaten by Crystal Palace.

What's the verdict on Flores?

Watford's owners, the Pozzo family, were alarmed by the club's Springtime slide. That contributed to the decision to part company with Flores on Friday.

Transfer priorities

Another striker to increase competition with Deeney and Oghalo. A creative midfielder would not go amiss, and there will be question marks over how long Gomes can continue to perform heroics in goal given he has already turned 35.

Have always liked the idea of someone doing a Watford save and seeing if they could thrive under the situation with the Pozzos so good luck man!

Good luck mate, I can see this being a good read.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/28/22/2AEA4B8600000578-0-image-a-1_1438120768907.jpg

---

Watford Under-23s manager Harry Kewell will act as interim manager of the senior team while the board look for the next manager, according to Watford chairman Gino Pozzo.

The 38 year old has been in charge of the Hornets' youth side since last year in what was his first managerial role. Kewell, widely considered to be Australia's greatest football export, played in the Premier League for Leeds United and Liverpool throughout the 2000s.

The Watford board will begin to make deliberations of the direction of their new manager, with Walter Mazzarri seen as the front runner. In the mean time, Director of Football Luke Dowling is expected to conduct transfer activities for the club whilst the appointment of Kewell allows him to continue to train the club in the Flores mentality, a mentality which is believed to be favoured by the board and will be considered in any managerial applications.

Good luck Harry! Won't be easy under the Pozzo's but Kewell is one of their men so could be there for the long term!

Kewell story bro.

http://footyswag.com/public/uploads/gallery/Gallery_1485352131.jpg

---

Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Watford have agreed a £4.9 million deal for goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

The 20 year old has played thrice for Serbia and comes off two seasons in the top flights of Serbia and Israel with Red Star Belgrade and Maccabi Tel-Aviv respectively.

Although relatively unknown in Europe, Rajkovic had the opportunity to play Champions League football last season for Maccabi Tel-Aviv, fronting up in 6 matches and presenting a case for being one of the best young goalkeepers in world football.

---

http://img.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/02/66/57/87/2665787_full-lnd.jpg

---

Rajkovic will provide competition to current Watford first team choice Hereulho Gomes and the experienced Costel Pantilimon and is expected to be the heir apparent to the former. At 20, the Serb has plenty of time to develop into a Premier League role.

Harry Kewell: "Predrag is a player we have identified as a huge talent and a player we didn't think was playing at a level befitting his ability. I personally was very impressed with his English skills, and I think he will slot into the squad very well."

Predrag Rajkovic: "I can't wait to play for Watford in the Premier League. It's an amazing experience to come from smaller leagues like Serbia and Israel and now I have a chance to play in the best league on Earth. I know I will have my work cut out to get a first team spot but luckily I do have age on my side."

A fantastic talent to have picked up, he'll (Pre)drag Watford up the table with his performances!

Fantastic signing in Rajkovic and also liking the new interim manager choice, keep up the good work.

Rajkovic could well be a stunning piece of business in the long term!

---

Watford director of football Luke Dowling, head of the club's transfer team, has admitted that signing more home-grown players is a definite priority for the club, considering their current lack of English talent.

Captain Troy Deeney and Ben Watson are the only contracted Englishmen at the club, with Tom Cleverley currently at Vicarage Road on loan. Irish goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin and Jamaican defender Adrian Mariappa also qualify as home-grown under current FA rules.

Despite the signing of young Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, Dowling has stated the club's intention to go after young English talent.

"We understand that in order to remain a viable English team, we'll need English talent. We'll be looking to sign some promising players who can impact straight away, and also to bring up some youth from the reserve squads hopefully."

Watford's best youth prospect at the moment are widely considered to be Venezuelan striker Adalberto Penaranda, although Dennon Lewis, Jerome Sinclair and Michael Folivi are also touted as star English players of the future.

Penaranda will become one of the top strikers in world football, if he realises his potential. Add a few young English stars, and you have the perfect mix for the future!

Watford do have a lack of English talent still today, so I'm glad to see you're focusing on improving that and giving some of the talent a chance.

In Penaranda and Jerome Sinclair you have the makings of a potentially lethal strikeforce in the makings!