'My job is absolutely complete' says departing Watford boss Flores

15 May 2016 21:53

Quique Sanchez Flores believes his work at Watford is complete and predicts his successor will have a much easier job next season.

Flores' final game in charge at Vicarage Road ended in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland as Sebastian Prodl and a Troy Deeney penalty cancelled out strikes from Jack Rodwell and Jeremain Lens.

The Spaniard has paid the price for a miserable second half to the campaign but Watford have finished 13th in the Barclays Premier League, their highest top-flight placing in 29 years.

The home supporters voiced little dissent regarding Flores' departure. They did, however, show their appreciation, applauding their head coach as he performed a lap of honour after the full-time whistle.

"My job is absolutely complete," Flores said.

"The only target we had is to keep the team in the category and the way we did this was amazing. We didn't suffer, we enjoyed it, we didn't suffer against the big teams.

"Always I feel we are in the right way. For me, 45 points is a lot of points for a team just promoted."

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce was cheered by the visiting fans after they secured survival last week and Flores pointed out in his programme notes that Watford have been free of relegation pressure "for a long time".

Another busy summer is anticipated and Flores believes his successor, who will be the Hornets' eighth boss in four years, will reap the benefits next season.

"The first year is the most difficult year because to build the squad during pre-season was difficult because the players want security, they want to go to a team who is consistent," Flores said.

"Watford was new and now Watford is not completely new. Watford now is established in a good position in the Premier League.

"So I hope for next year a lot of players are coming, more players, more quality with the base of this year. I think the normal thing for Watford next year is trying to improve the performance in the Premier League."

Allardyce made nine changes to the starting line-up that beat Everton on Wednesday and handed debuts to Tom Robson and Rees Greenwood.

Sunderland could have taken all three points too, after Duncan Watmore and Dame N'Doye both had goals ruled out for offside when replays suggested they were level.

"If we had needed three points and only got one, we would be in serious trouble with the officials not giving us the onside goals," Allardyce said.

"Thankfully those major decisions which we have no control over did not affect our status."

The draw means Sunderland finish 17th in the table, having lost only one of their last 11 league matches.

"The confidence will go into next season. All the players can come back with a spring in their step," Allardyce said.

"We averaged two points per game over the last six games, that is top six stuff in the league.

"To think we had 12 points in six games, and only finished fourth from bottom, is a pretty miraculous total. Like next season, let's get 12 points in the first six games, not the last."

Source: PA