It's often said that heroes should never go back to their former clubs – here's a list of 15 who have, with mixed results

Getty ImagesQuique Sanchez Flores (Watford)

The Spaniard spent just one year in charge of Watford, in which the club was relatively successful.

The 2015-16 season saw the Hornets secure comfortable survival in the Premier League, while they made waves in the FA Cup reaching the semi-final.

He was still jettisoned at the end of the campaign but returned earlier this week following the sacking of Javi Gracia. In the interim, Flores has sent time with Espanyol and Shanghai Shenhua.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesZinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

Perhaps the best example of a coach returning to his former club is Zinedine Zidane, who stunned the footballing world when he announced his decision to stand down as Real Madrid boss after a third successive Champions League title.

He was back in the hotseat less than a year later as both Julen Lopetegui and Santi Solari flopped in the job.

Getty ImagesEddie Howe (Bournemouth)

The fresh-faced Bournemouth boss may only be 41 – and it may seem like he has been in his job forever – but this is actually his second spell in charge of the Cherries.

Initially, he took over in 2008, departing to Burnley with the south coast side still in League One. Barely 18 months later, he returned to the club, spearheading an improbable rise to the Premier League, where they are now firmly established.

GettyimagesLeonardo Jardim (Monaco)

Monaco’s disastrous start to the 2018-19 season saw the axe quickly fall on Leonardo Jardim, who had led the team previously to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Thierry Henry took over from him but a disastrous spell saw France’s record scorer ditched and Jardim ushered quickly back in a matter of weeks after he had left the post.