Watford part company with Quique Sanchez Flores

Watford have announced manager Quique Sanchez Flores will leave Vicarage Road after the club’s final match of the Premier League season against Sunderland on Sunday.

Speculation involving the Spaniard’s future had been rumoured in the last few weeks, with the Hornets’ form dipping during the second half of the campaign, which has ultimately led to the board parting company with the 44-year-old.

The Hertfordshire-based side secured their top flight status, along with an FA Cup semi-final appearance were they beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace, however, the Hornets have endured a disappointing 2016 in the league, winning only twice in their last 13 outings, including the 4-2 loss to Norwich City on Wednesday.

The former Getafe boss joined Watford in June 2015 following their promotion back to the Premier League, and the side quickly earned admirers for their never-say-die attitude – equipped with strike duo Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, the Hornets rose to as high as eighth in the standings earlier this season.

The Watford hierarchy will now be on the hunt to appoint their seventh manager in four years – the early favourite for the job is former Napoli and Inter Milan boss, Walter Mazzarri.