Watford Sack Their Manager After a 10-Match Stint and Bring Back Javi Gracia as Head Coach
Watford Football Club have made the move to end Paulo Pezzolano's contract after only five months and 10 games in control, announcing the reappointment of former boss the Spanish coach as his successor.
Reports suggest that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in the spring to take over from the interim manager, along with his technical staff, were told not to take practice on Wednesday as rumors about his exit grew on the previous day.
The 40-year-old was called to a meeting where he was named the 11th head coach Watford have moved on since the start of 2020.
"We are very pleased to reappoint Gracia," said Watford's chairman and CEO. "His passion, leadership and well-defined plan will foster stability, togetherness and momentum.
"We believe many fans who wished Gracia had stayed on in the past. With this talented team, we are convinced his know-how and attributes are precisely what we need at this moment."
Gracia guided the team to the FA Cup showpiece for the only other occasion in the club's history in 2019, but was dismissed a few matches into the next season and last managed at Leeds in 2023.
"For me, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm going back home. It was the most enjoyable period of my professional life," Gracia remarked. "I have very good recollections and we have unfinished business here. For us, it's a further significant move in our career.
"This is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are highly motivated for this season. If we are together, we are stronger."
The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives even after their win against Oxford at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a slow start that yielded a handful of points from the first six games.
The Uruguayan is reportedly departed dismayed by the decision to let him go, having guided Watford to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a home win over Hull and a tie at Fratton Park, placing them three points off the promotion playoffs.
The coach arrived shortly after the end of last season with a proven track record of guiding teams to promotion in Spain, Brazil and his home country.
