The big names just kept coming. Sergio Aguero, David Silva, David de Gea, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez and Manuel Pellegrini. New Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores knows the lot.

That’s the level the Hornets are now at. They can attract a Spanish coach who has worked with, and rubbed shoulders with, the world’s best.

A man who has won the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Portuguese Cup. A man who is legendary Real Madrid striker Alfredo di Stefano’s godson.

When you glance at Flores’ CV it is easy to understand why Hornets owner Gino Pozzo turned to the 50-year-old when it became obvious Slavisa Jokanovic would not sign a new contract.

It is perhaps less easy to understand why Flores elected to take charge of a side whose primary aim this season is to avoid relegation.

“Why Watford?” Flores was asked when he spoke to the media on Tuesday. You couldn’t argue with his reasoning.

“The idea of working here in England and living in London was enough for me to believe I will be happy every day,” he explained.

“When I was contacted by Watford I was given the possibility of coming to the Premier League and to a club with passion. A club that wants to grow and a club that wants to develop. That was very important.

“For me it was the perfect club. I have a similar target to that I had 12 years ago at Getafe [avoiding relegation]. I have watched [videos from] the last few games of last season and I liked what I saw.

“The team have soul and a high spirit. That was enough for me to come here and to the Premier League.”

Flores’ introduction to the media was very different to that of his predecessor. When Jokanovic was named Hornets boss last October I was given ten minutes to speak to the club’s new head coach at the training ground.

There was no Sky Sports. No live feed of the interview. No room full of national journalists. It was just Slavisa and I.

Watford’s promotion has changed all that. The media spotlight on the club is greater than ever.

The Premier League demands more than just a local newspaper speaking to the town’s club’s new head coach.

It demands weekly interviews, televised press conferences and immediate post-match discussions with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Flores is perfect for that world. Jokanovic was occasionally scruffy and at times abrupt, which are not criticisms. He was also very softly spoken during interviews and would occasionally slip into an unclear murmur.

There was none of that from Flores on Tuesday. He is handsome, well dressed and was jovial when speaking to reporters. He also demonstrated a touch of class by thanking Jokanovic for guiding Watford into the top flight.

Flores accepts his English needs improving, he admits he is worried about making mistakes, but he will certainly have no issue communicating with his players – something he believes will be vital during the coming months.

“Today football is not only about the ball,” the former Real Madrid player said. “The ball is very important but I think the emotion, the feel of matches and the sensations are very important.

“Sometimes, if you are having a meeting before the game you have to choose. I could say: ‘Today I am going to talk about the tactics’. Or: ‘No, today the group need a little bit of a more emotional message’.”

Flores continued: “We want the fans to feel something special inside. We want to create an atmosphere for the fans where they feel that the day of the game is the best day in the world.

“For me these are the feelings I want the team to have when we prepare for a game.”

Flores also plans to embrace life in England and his four children are moving to the country, all of whom speak English after schooling in Madrid.

He is excited to run into old friends when the top-flight campaign begins, including the abrasive Mourinho.

“I have a good relationship with many people,” he said. “There’s Rafa Benitez but also Pep Guardiola, Mourinho and Pellegrini. I keep my relationship with Mourinho and Guardiola separate though. They don’t mix very well.”

He added: “I feel close to these coaches, Roberto Martinez too, but I want to meet the English coaches like Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson. It will be a good moment to shake their hands and introduce myself.”

Flores had done just that a day earlier with his players. The Watford squad returned to London Colney on Monday morning to begin their preparations for the forthcoming campaign and met their new boss for the first time.

If Flores introduced himself with the same verve and enthusiasm he offered journalists on Tuesday then the Hornets squad is likely to have been impressed by the man.

Flores the coach started working with his players on the training pitch on Tuesday evening. Every member of the Watford squad has something to prove. And the Spaniard knows quality when he sees it.

“When journalists ask me who the best players I have coached are it is easy,” he said. “For me it is David Silva (while at Valencia) and Kun Aguero (while at Atletico Madrid). Now you look at them. They are playing in a great team at Manchester City.”

And let’s not skip over the fact that it was Flores who handed Diego Costa his debut at Atletico Madrid.

The Spaniard failed to mention the snarling Chelsea striker as one of the names on his stellar cast list. Perhaps that only further highlights the excellence he has worked with.

So how can the Hornets players impress a man who has coached some of the best players in the world?

“For me every player [at Watford] is a new player,” he said. “I know someone like [Matej] Vydra because I have watched videos of games but on the pitch I don’t know Vydra. I don’t know Vydra man to man.

“So every player starts at zero. This afternoon (Tuesday) in the first training session everyone is at zero.

“If I love one player but I don’t know his name I go to Mr Pozzo and say ‘I want this player in the first team’.

“If Mr Pozzo says ‘he is only 16’ I will say ‘it doesn’t matter, he has got what I am looking for’.”

So for the fourth time in the space of a year Watford’s players have somebody new to impress.

And for the likes of Lloyd Dyer, Diego Fabbrini, Lewis McGugan, Cristian Battocchio and Essaid Belkalem – who all ended last season out on loan – it is a fresh start.

As for new additions Watford fans may have to wait a little while. Flores stressed his desire to assess his current squad before any changes are made.

Whether or not Gino Pozzo and the rest of Watford’s recruitment committee agree is another story. After all, the Hornets attempted to secure several signings before pre-season training had even begun.

Four players have arrived at Vicarage Road. Sebastian Prodl from Werder Bremen, Giedrius Arlauskis from Steaua Bucuresti, Jose Holebas from AS Roma and Vydra finally agreed a permanent deal with the Hornets this week.

“Mr Pozzo and I know we need much more if we want to be competitive this year,” the head coach stated. “At the moment we have the base from last year to build on.”

That base got Watford into the Premier League. It is now Flores’ job to keep the Hornets there.

It certainly won’t be easy but perhaps one day – when Flores lists the top players he has worked with – he’ll add a few names from Watford’s class of 2015/16.