Watford’s First Team Development Coach Armand Kavaja has left the club.
The 36-year-old had worked closely with head coach Tom Cleverley ever since the Watford boss retired from playing and took over as coach of the Under-18s last season.
In a statement on the club’s official website, Kavaja said: "I wanted to let everyone know that I've now left Watford FC.
"It's been an incredible personal journey for me over these past 10 years, and I'm grateful to have had the chance in recent months to gain some experiences I'd only dreamt about when I started with this fantastic club.
"I hope I've shown a path for others that there is genuine opportunity to progress through the coaching ranks to the first-team environment.
"For me, that route took in roles in both the Academy and women's set-up. I'll be forever grateful for the chance to take on those very different challenges and help shape my coaching as it is today.
"Having had a taste of working as part of a first-team staff group, I feel it's a path I'd like to pursue in the future, while recognising the variety of roles I've covered across this past decade means I can consider all opportunities.
"It's been a special privilege to have played a part in the progress of some of the younger professionals who are now very much immersed into the first-team training group, and a further pleasure to see them start to make their mark.
"I'm honoured and proud of my Watford journey - and now excited by what the future might hold.
"Good luck to Tom, all the coaching staff, the players and everyone with the club at heart who's working hard to make this season a memorable one.
"My coaching journey will now take me elsewhere, but part of me will always remain with Watford."
When Cleverley was appointed as Interim Head Coach in March, he brought Kavaja with him from the Under-18s.
“I feel that sometimes my weaknesses are his strengths and vice-versa. We work well in that aspect so that was a no-brainer for me,” he said at the time.
At the end of the season, after Cleverley had been given the job on a permanent basis, Kavaja was confirmed as First Team Development Coach.
“Armand is someone whose skills are exceptional on an individual player development basis,” Cleverley said in May.
“He’s very good one-to-one and has a great background in that kind of technical work and has a fantastic pedigree when it comes to developing young players. He’ll play a key part in that link between the academy and the first-team.”
Kavaja had been involved with the club for several years before his elevation to the first team set-up, both with the Academy and Watford FC Women.
He joined the Academy in 2015 as a coach and has worked alongside each age category, ranging from Under-9s to Under-16s.
A holder of the UEFA A-Licence, he’s previously had three spells as Head Coach of Watford Women as well.
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