Mazzarri left with no regrets despite Watford departure
Departing Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri says that injuries prevented his side finishing higher in the table this season, but insisted he couldn’t have any regrets over his time at Vicarage Road.
The Italian met with Watford’s board on Wednesday and was informed that his services would not be required next year – his final game in charge is at home to Manchester City this Sunday.
Mazzarri is the seventh manager to be dismissed by the Pozzo family since they took over the club in 2012.
Watford sit 16th in the Premier League but Mazzarri highlighted the Hornets’ victory over Everton in December as the last time he had a healthy squad to select from.
“For someone that always wants more like me, I still have the image in my head of when we were seventh and beat Everton, I would have liked to have kept that squad and have it together for the rest of the season,” said Mazzarri.
“Never in my career did I have so many injuries, there were games where I didn’t know who to put on the pitch.
“When you leave an era like this, it’s normal [to feel sad]. I want to say that I always gave everything I had at Watford, I worked 15 hours a day, every day and I’m tired.
“I’m also happy as I reached another objective in my career which was to avoid relegation here.
“I’m a bit disappointed as I was embraced by the Watford family, so it’s normal to be emotional as it’s been my home since the first day I was here.
“There are things – one or two changes – that maybe when I reflect and look back I could have done differently, but I don’t have any regrets.”