The Hornets Dismiss Their Manager After 10 Games and Reappoint Javi Gracia as Manager
Watford Football Club have made the move to terminate Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after only a brief period and 10 matches in charge, announcing the return of ex-manager Javi Gracia as his successor.
It is understood that Pezzolano, who was hired in May to take over from Tom Cleverley, along with his technical staff, were told not to take training on midweek as rumors about his exit mounted on the previous day.
The 40-year-old was summoned for a meeting where he became the 11th head coach the club have let go since the start of 2020.
"The club is very pleased to welcome back Gracia," said the club's chief executive. "His passion, guidance and clear strategy will foster stability, unity and positive energy.
"We are sure many fans who hoped Gracia had never departed in 2019. With this talented squad, we are certain his experience and qualities are precisely what we require at this moment."
Gracia previously led the team to the FA Cup final for the only other occasion in their history in 2019, but was sacked a few matches into the following campaign and last managed at Leeds United in 2023.
"For me, the feeling I have right now is that I'm returning to a familiar place. It was the happiest period of my career," Gracia stated. "There are fond recollections and we have loose ends at Watford. For us, it's a further significant move in our journey.
"This is something special for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this campaign. If we are united, we are more powerful."
The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives despite their victory against Oxford at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which lifted them to 11th in the Championship after a slow start that yielded a handful of points from the initial six matches.
The Uruguayan is reportedly departed disappointed by the call to let him go, having guided Watford to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a home win over Hull and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them within touching distance off the promotion playoffs.
The coach arrived shortly after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of leading teams to promotion in La Liga, Brazil and his home country.
