While the rest of the world were not exactly surprised by Javi Gracia’s departure from Watford, the Spaniard certainly was.
Gracia was sacked by Watford earlier month after a disastrous start to the season had left the Hornets sitting bottom of the table.
Plenty had predicted the was nigh for Gracia, given Watford’s history of chopping and changing managers over the past decade.
Gracia did not see it coming, though, having already admitted that the feeling those in charge of the club had given him was that he was safe and in charge of a long-term project.
That’s a statement he’s doubled down on again as he revealed all in a new interview about his Watford departure with AS.
“I did not expect (to be sacked) because I had not had a previous conversation that made me see that possibility,” he said.
“After the victory 3-0 in the Carabao Cup draw at Newcastle and… well, honestly, I did not expect to be fired four days later.
“In other clubs, at other times, in difficult times, yes you contemplate that possibility and see it as an option, as something that can happen, it’s just another part of your job, and you know it’s there.
“This time, personally, I have not felt that way and nor have they made me feel that way.”
Watford did not waste time in replacing Gracia, appointing former manager Quique Sanchez Flores as his replacement at Vicarage Road on the same day as his sacking.
That caught most off guard and hinted that the Hornets’ hierarchy had been planning to make a change for some time.
That was not relayed to Gracia, who explained that he had spent the week planning for a clash with Arsenal and received news of his sacking while on the way for a family holiday.
“That week we trained until Friday because Saturday and Sunday was a rest for the players who had not gone with their national teams,” he added.
“In the evening I’m with my family in the car because we were flying to spend the weekend in Spain and I called my agent, and he gave me the news.
“I tried to digest it and asked how it had come about. We were preparing for the game with Arsenal and had been working on it all week.”
