Quique Sanchez Flores to Depart Watford: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Watford announced on Friday they will part ways with manager Quique Sanchez Flores at the end of the season.

The Hornets confirmed the news via Twitter:

The Spaniard replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as boss last June, becoming the fifth manager at the club in a 12-month period. 

The club shared a statement on its official website, which read: "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."

Flores explained the situation in a press conference, Sky Sports News HQ sharing the footage:

Further, Sky Sports News HQ also provided a timeline of the recent speculation regarding his position at Vicarage Road:

Though the club's form has tailed off somewhat in the latter half of the season, Flores has comfortably kept Watford in the Premier League. Indeed, the Hornets never looked to be at serious risk of relegation—a particularly commendable achievement given the huge overhaul in personnel last summer.

He also took them to an FA Cup semi-final. Sky Sports revealed his record of results at Watford:

Bleacher Report UK's Jack Lusby and BBC Sport's Phil McNulty believe his departure to be inexplicable given what he's achieved this season:

Meanwhile, John Bennett of the BBC World Service anticipates there will be a clamour for the 51-year-old's signature:

Broadcaster Philip Egan was unsurprised given Watford's recent form:

The manager has made some puzzling decisions this season—his continued use of central midfielder Almen Abdi out wide throughout the campaign has been a source of ire for Hornets fans, while his decision to field centre-back Craig Cathcart as a right-back against Liverpool on Sunday, despite having full-backs Allan Nyom and Juan Carlos Paredes on the bench, was similarly strange and ineffective.

Nevertheless, having achieved survival comfortably in his first season in English football, Flores will have won himself many admirers this year.

Per Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, he is aiming to remain in the Premier League if possible:

With Roberto Martinez having departed Everton on Thursday, as reported by McNulty for BBC Sport, there may well be speculation linking Flores with the Toffees. There could also be plenty of clubs in the Championship or abroad looking to secure his services.

As for Watford, they'll be hoping his replacement can not only achieve survival yet again but aim to build on their campaign under Flores, perhaps targeting a top-half finish.