Watford FC have parted ways with Head Coach Javi Gracia and reappointed Quique Sanchez Flores, right before their match against Arsenal.

Quique Sanchez Flores (Photo via WatfordFC.com)
Quique Sanchez Flores (Photo via WatfordFC.com)

In statements on the Watford website posted just 31 minutes apart, the club first confirmed the departure of Javi Gracia, then announced the appointment of Quique Sanchez Flores as their new head coach.

Gracia had been in charge at Watford since January 2018, leading them to the FA Cup final and an 11th-place finish. Flores, meanwhile, managed Watford during the 2015/16 season, and returns after spells with Espanyol and Shanghai Shenhua.

Of course, all of this comes over the international break directly before Watford’s match against Arsenal. Clubs love to pull the plug on their old bosses just before they face the Gunners, and the new person in charge usually celebrates their first game with a positive result.

The trip to Watford actually hadn’t been looking too daunting before this. The club are propping up the table with just a single point in four games, losing to Brighton, Everton and West Ham, before drawing against Newcastle.

A win against Coventry in the League Cup second round was the only thing Watford had to shout about from the opening month of the season. The new manager bounce is sure to get them back on form against Arsenal on Sunday though.