Watford have reappointed Quique Sanchez Flores as manager after announcing the exit of Javi Gracia.
Sanchez was in charge of Watford for the 2015-16 campaign before leaving at the end of the season.
Fellow Spaniard Gracia, whose coaching team have also left, had been in charge since January 2018 – making him the first Hornets boss to last more than one full season since 2013.
The appointment of Flores was confirmed 30 minutes later.
Watford are bottom of the Premier League table with one point.
Gracia led the club to Wembley last season, where they lost 6-0 to Manchester City in the biggest FA Cup final win in over a century, as well as 11th place in the Premier League.
But three defeats in their opening four league games saw him lose his job in an announcement made by the club during the first half of England’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria.
Hornets chairman Scott Duxbury said: “Javi has represented Watford with great dignity and will always be deserving of our fullest respect for his achievements.”
Gracia and Sanchez have Watford’s best managerial records in the Premier League – with an average of 1.18 points per game each.
Watford have become known in recent years for changing managers on a regular basis. Since Gianfranco Zola’s exit in December 2013, they have had nine managers including Flores twice.
In one spell between August and October 2014, they had four permanent bosses. Since then Slavisa Jokanovic lasted eight months, Flores and Walter Mazzarri one season each and Marco Silva about eight months.
Sanchez has managed Espanyol in La Liga and Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua since leaving Watford in 2016.
Analysis – ‘club affairs work smoothly whoever is in charge’
Javi Gracia can feel a measure of injustice at his sacking as Watford manager after leading them to only the club’s second FA Cup final in their history in May.
But he has paid the price for a poor end to last season in the Premier League and an undistinguished start this term.
Watford may have a reputation for instability when it comes to managers but behind the scenes there is a tried and trusted scouting and recruitment network that means much of the club’s affairs work smoothly whoever is in charge of coaching the players.
It has ensured Watford have established themselves in the Premier League and may explain why they have acted so quickly and, in the eyes of many, harshly. They will not want to risk that hard-won status.
Watford trust their set-up and system, although there is some irony that they have now gone back to a manager they sacked previously in Quique Sanchez Flores.
There will, though, a good deal of sympathy for Gracia.
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
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Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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