Watford's players want club chiefs to end their recent recruitment policy and appoint a homegrown boss to replace the sacked Quique Sanchez Flores.

The 54-year-old, who only returned to replace Javi Gracia in September, was dismissed on Sunday following defeat by Southampton.

Nine of their previous 10 appointments have been foreign coaches but, as revealed by Sportsmail on Sunday, Watford have shown a willingness to consider British managers by speaking to at least two about the vacant role.

Watford players would like a homegrown boss to replace the sacked Quique Sanchez Flores

Chris Hughton is one such manager who is being considered for the vacant Watford job

Chris Hughton and Paul Clement have held talks over the job and there is a feeling the squad would respond to a British boss in their fight against relegation — particularly one with high motivational skills.

Sam Allardyce also has some support inside the Watford dressing room, with a number of players believing it is time a homegrown manager was handed the reins.

But it remains to be seen whether the club will change tack at this stage.

Watford's options are limited by their reluctance to dig too deep into their pockets for a new manager.

They would rather appoint an out-of-work coach to avoid paying a rival club any compensation to replace Flores.

Paul Clement (left), who has served as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti previously, is another option

It was the third Premier League sacking in the past two weeks and Watford, who sit bottom of the table and six points from safety, hope to name their third manager of the campaign on Monday.

Flores won only one of his 10 Premier League games and Sportsmail first reported on November 7 that pressure was mounting on the Spaniard.

On Sunday, Watford chief Scott Duxbury labelled him 'a man of great integrity' but said 'results have dictated our decision'.

Under-23 coach Hayden Mullins will take training on Monday and insiders believe the squad needs a psychological jolt as opposed to major surgery — echoing Flores' suggestion that Saturday's collapse against Southampton was the result of mental fragility. He admitted after their 1-0 lead evaporated that 'one goal for us now is a tragedy'.

Sam Allardyce is another manager who has support within the Watford dressing room

Had Watford held on after Ismaila Sarr's first-half opener, they would have moved off the foot of the table with a second win in three games.

Instead after goals from Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse, Flores cut a figure of resignation as he addressed the press for a final time as manager of the club.

'I am just sad because if I can't help the team. I am sad for that, I am sad for the fans, I am sad for the players, for the owner and the future of the club, of course,' he said.

'This is the way I choose. I can't regret for that. When they came to my house to say 'you can help us', if I stay in my comfort zone, it's not me.' He added: 'The worst thing for a coach is when you can't feel that you have the full control of the situation and when the team is at the bottom you don't.'