Former Al Ahli and Al Ain coach Quique Sanchez Flores will manage Watford in their first season back in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship, the club announced on Friday.
Slavisa Jokanovic guided Watford to promotion, but after talks over a contract extension for the Serbian coach broke down, the club turned to 50-year-old Flores, who has signed a two-year contract.
“Watford FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Europa League winner Quique Flores as the club’s new head coach,” the club announced on their website.
“The Spaniard, who boasts a wealth of top-flight experience in his home country and Portugal, has signed a two-year contract to lead the Hornets upon their return to the Premier League.”
Former Atletico Madrid manager Flores, once a right-back with Valencia, Real Madrid and Spain, has an impressive pedigree, having led Atletico to Europa League glory in 2010, when they beat Fulham in the final.
He has also coached Valencia and Portuguese giants Benfica, who he steered to the league cup in 2009, while his most recent jobs were in the Arabian Gulf League at Dubai powers Al Ahli, then Al Ain before he went briefly to La Liga outfit Getafe.
Flores will be assisted at Vicarage Road by Alberto Diaz and Antonio Carlavilla.
Jokanovic, the former Chelsea defender, became Watford’s fourth coach of the season last October and went on to lead the club to a second-place finish behind Bournemouth in the English second tier.
But he was unable to agree a new deal with the club, with talks reportedly breaking down over his wage demands.
Watford are returning to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.
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