Watford gap as Sanchez Flores ponders next move: Will it be to Leeds United?

Quique Sanchez Flores took charge of his final match as Watford boss on Sunday after it was confirmed he is to leave the club next month
Sanchez Flores and Steve Evans, right on the touchline when the two met in the FA Cup earlier this season. Picture: Bruce RollinsonSanchez Flores and Steve Evans, right on the touchline when the two met in the FA Cup earlier this season. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Sanchez Flores and Steve Evans, right on the touchline when the two met in the FA Cup earlier this season. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

The speculation over Sanchez Flores’ future was finally brought to a close following a meeting between manager and board on Thursday in which it was decided an extension clause in his contract would not be activated.

One of the clubs the 51-year-old Spaniard has been linked with is Leeds United, as speculation over Steve Evans’s future continues to grow.

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Flores’ departure comes despite his success in guaranteeing Watford’s survival upon their return to the Barclays Premier League in only his first season at the helm.

If Sunderland are defeated at Vicarage Road on Sunday, the Hornets could finish as high as 11th.

“We looked at all the season during the meeting and after that I confirmed that the club and me don’t have the same point of view about the season,” said Sanchez Flores said.

“So we don’t have the necessary conditions to activate the clause to renew my contract.

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“My contract finishes at the end of June and then I will leave Watford. This is the consequence.

“I’m very grateful to the players for their amazing effort and I love the Watford fans, they were amazing and gave me a lot of love. I felt completely happy this year.

“The last game will be really emotional because of the Watford fans.”

Sanchez Flores will have been aware of the fraught nature of the role at Vicarage Road, having replaced Slavisa Jokanovic last summer - the man who guided Watford into the Premier League.

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And he leaves his position despite the club admitting he had achieved his target.

A statement on Watford’s website read: “Watford...can confirm that Quique Sanchez Flores will leave Vicarage Road at the end of the season following the Sunderland game this weekend.

“We would like to thank Quique. He and the team achieved the target set them 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.”