Watford Sack Their Manager After a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Former Boss as Manager
Watford Football Club have taken the decision to end Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after only a brief period and 10 matches in charge, announcing the reappointment of ex-manager Javi Gracia as his replacement.
It is understood that Pezzolano, appointed in May to take over from the interim manager, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead training on midweek as speculation about his imminent departure grew on the previous day.
Pezzolano was summoned for a discussion where he was named the 11th head coach Watford have moved on since the beginning 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, togetherness and momentum.
"We believe there are many supporters who hoped Gracia had stayed on in the past. With this young and exciting team, we are convinced his experience and qualities are precisely what we need now."
The returning manager guided Watford to the FA Cup final for the only other occasion in the club's history in 2019, but was sacked several games into the next season and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.
"Personally, the emotion I have right now is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the happiest period of my career," he remarked. "I have fond memories and we have unfinished business here. For us, it's a further significant move in our journey.
"It is a unique opportunity for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this campaign. If we are together, we are stronger."
The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives despite their victory against Oxford at their home ground on the weekend, which moved them to 11th in the Championship after a slow start that earned a handful of points from the first six games.
Pezzolano is reportedly left dismayed by the decision to let him go, having guided the side to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a victory at home over Hull and a draw at Fratton Park, placing them within touching distance off the playoff places.
The coach arrived soon after the conclusion of last season with a proven track record of leading clubs to advancement in La Liga, Brazil and his home country.
