Walter Mazzarri admitted his sadness at leaving Watford after Sunday's season finale with Manchester City at his final pre-match press conference this afternoon.

The removal of the Italian head coach was announced in midweek, but he will get one more game in the home dugout at Vicarage Road before waving goodbye to the Hornets forever.

Mazzarri delivered a prepared statement before taking questions at London Colney today, during which he praised the club's fans and players for their efforts during the season.

He also moved to distance himself from quotes made in the Spanish press regarding Watford's ambition - but the Watford Observer understands he did hold an interview during the week.

However, sources close to Mazzarri suggest he had intended to refer to his players' commitment when drawing comparisons with his former sides, rather than making a comment about the club as a whole.

The visibly weary head coach said he had been left tired by what has been a long, often arduous season, and was looking forward to a break from football following this weekend.

"When you leave a year like this, and when it finishes, being sad is normal," he said. "I always gave everything I had here and Watford, and have been working 15 hours a day.

"I am very tired but I am very happy because we reached another objective in my career, which was to keep this club up.

"I am a bit disappointed because I was always embraced by the Watford family very well and it’s normal you are a bit emotional because it has been my home since the first day I was here.

"For someone who always wants more, I have still got the image in my head of when we were seventh and won against Everton.

"The only thing I would have liked was to keep that squad, and have it for the rest of the season. I think we would have been able to do greater things."

Mazzarri added he would continue to follow the fortunes of the Hornets once he leaves for pastures new, after taking his first venture outside of his native Italy at Vicarage Road.

He said: "I will wish Watford the best for always. It’s normal, I will always be a fan of this team.

"The only day where we will be enemies is if one day I manage an English team and we play against each other."