Watford

Nampalys Mendy has hit out at former manager Javi Gracia and his unjustified exclusion under the Spanish boss at Watford earlier this season.

Foot Mercato have an interview with the Watford midfielder this week. He discusses various topics at Watford, including his former manager.

Mendy arrived at Watford last summer as a key target for Paulo Pezzolano. He immediately became a regular under him. Then came international duty, and a shock. Pezzolano was gone and Gracia was in. Mendy then suddenly found himself frozen out.

“When I came back, that coach had been fired,” explains Mendy.

“When I returned from international duty, I was no longer in the plans of the new coach, Javi Gracia.”

Asked whether Gracia offered any explanation, Mendy didn’t hold back.

“He didn’t give me any reasons. He just told me it was his decision without any justification. I kept working, but I knew it was a deep injustice.”

Javi Gracia’s short Watford reign

Javi Gracia’s second reign at Vicarage Road would only last a couple of months. That was a blessing for Nampalys Mendy, who has now returned to the forefront under Ed Still.

He has a previous relationship with Still after working with him at Lens. And that has worked to Mendy’s benefit.

“We know each other from Lens, so that definitely makes things easier,” he explains.

“If he wants to tell me something, he can, and vice versa. Besides, I’m at a point in my career where being coached by one coach or another doesn’t change much. It’s important at the beginning of your career, but now I know how to adapt.”

Senegal scars clearly an issue

Gracia’s decision to oust him, though, has left scars. Nampalys Mendy’s lack of minutes at the time meant he ended up missing the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

The Lions of Teranga went on to win the tournament with the Watford midfielder watching on from England. Mendy admits that still hurts to this day.

“I haven’t been called up since that exclusion,” he added.

“It cost me dearly. It hurt me deeply not to be called up to the national team anymore. If you see the atmosphere between us, it’s incredible. We’re like brothers.”

No Watford regrets

It seems, though, that the 33-year-old doesn’t have any regrets about the move to Watford despite that.

He, instead, believes that there are other forces at play out of his control and he simply must adapt to them.

“I’m someone who lives without regrets,” he concluded.

“No matter what happens during the season, whether it’s good or bad, I don’t regret my choices. I always tell myself it’s my destiny and that I have to adapt if things go wrong.”

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