Slavisa Jokanovic maintains that he has no regrets about how things ended at Watford as he prepares his Fulham side to host his old club in the Premier League on Saturday.
Jokanovic was appointed Watford manager in October 2014, their fourth manager in five weeks, and guided them to Premier League promotion but failed to agree on financial terms for an extension to his short-term contract. He was later replaced by Quique Sancehez Flores in June 2015.
Saturday is the first time that Jokanovic faces his former side and says he holds no hard feelings, but admits he wanted to stay.
“I wanted to stay, I felt that the club chose a different way for the future,” he said. “I am not upset.
“They gave me the chance to work in this country and fortunately for myself we got promoted to the Premier League, but my contract ended.
“I must accept this decision and where one door closes, another opens and keep going and continue the work. I am now at the same level like Watford and I am thinking about this game.”
Under Jokanovic, Watford turned around a poor start to the season and he had them on the brink of winning the Championship title, but a draw on the final day of the season allowed Bournemouth to pip them for first place.
“I always have great memories at Watford, I have great memories for this club and much respect for this team and the fans. I had a successful time at this club and my memories are positive. I follow Watford like other clubs here in England.”
Key to Watford’s success with Jokanovic was the goals produced by Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo together up front as part of an adventurous attacking line-up. They scored 41 goals between them in the Championship and made Watford the league’s second highest goal scorers.
After several seasons in the top-flight, Deeney has rediscovered his love for the game with a new fitness regime and is reaping its rewards with some impressive performances this season, which has led to some calling for him to be included in the England squad.
Jokanovic, who is an admirer of Deeney, says that Gareth Southgate should consider bringing him into his next squad to play against in the friendly against the US and England’s next Uefa Nations League match in Croatia.
“I expect this player will one day play for England, he deserves it,” said the Fulham manager. “He started the season very well and is a leader of this team where he wants to play football.”
