Slavisa Jokanovic has revealed that he left Watford because he felt that he was no longer wanted by the club.
The Serbian coach guided the Hornets into the Premier League after finishing second in the Championship last season, having been in charge for just seven months.
The 46-year-old failed to agree terms on a new contract with Watford owner Gino Pozzo and was subsequently replaced by Quique Sanchez Flores ahead of the club's first top-flight campaign for eight years.
"I felt he didn't have a real will to renew my contract. My priority was to stay at Watford after promotion. It made sense to think that way," Jokanovic told The Sun.
"What happened next made me realise there was no real intention to renew my contract. There was a first contact but there wasn't a follow-up from him, which should be normal in any negotiation process. After waiting, I assumed that I had to move on.
"I am not resentful. Watford will always have a special place in my heart. The players, the staff and the fans treated me in an exceptional manner."
Jokanovic has since become manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Steven Toplis
