West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has described Quique Flores's departure form Watford as "crazy".
The Hornets confirmed this morning that the Spaniard will leave the club after the final weekend of the Premier League season.
The 51-year-old comfortably secured survival for the club in their first campaign back in the top flight, and also guided the team to an FA Cup semi-final, but a disagreement with the board has led to his exit.
"It's crazy," Bilic said in Friday's press conference. "I'm sorry for Quique. It's completely wrong, they've had a fantastic season. As far as I know if someone had offered Watford that... before the season everyone predicted they were likely candidates to go down. Yet they were never in danger and until January or February they were in the top eight, or top 10.
"Add to that they play good football, and add to that they were in the semi-final of the FA Cup, beating Arsenal away. They had a great season, the place was buzzing, it was a season to be proud of.
"It says it's more important how you finish than how you start but it is nonsense for me. People say it's common in Europe, it's common in England, but it's completely wrong, it's sick."
Flores will sign off at Vicarage Road on Sunday with a game against Sunderland.
Danielle Joynson
