Watford Sack Paulo Pezzolano After a 10-Match Stint and Bring Back Javi Gracia as Manager
The Championship side have taken the decision to end their manager's contract after only a brief period and 10 games in control, announcing the return of ex-manager Javi Gracia as his successor.
It is understood that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in May to take over from Tom Cleverley, along with his technical staff, were instructed not to take training on midweek as speculation about his imminent departure mounted on the previous day.
The 40-year-old was summoned for a meeting where he was named the 11th head coach Watford have moved on since the start of 2020.
"The club is delighted to reappoint Javi," stated Watford's chairman and CEO. "His passion, guidance and clear strategy will foster stability, togetherness and momentum.
"We believe many fans who wished Gracia had stayed on in 2019. With this talented squad, we are convinced his experience and attributes are precisely what we require at this moment."
Gracia guided the team to the FA Cup final for the second time in their history in that year, but was dismissed a few matches into the next season and last managed at Leeds United in last year.
"Personally, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm returning to a familiar place. It was the happiest period of my career," he remarked. "There are very good recollections and we have unfinished business here. For us, it's a further important step in our journey.
"This is something special for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this campaign. If we are together, we are more powerful."
The decision to remove Pezzolano comes despite their victory against Oxford at their home ground on Saturday, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a difficult opening that yielded five points from the initial six matches.
The Uruguayan is reportedly left disappointed by the decision to sack him, having led Watford to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a home win over Hull City and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them three points off the playoff places.
The coach joined soon after the end of last season with a proven track record of guiding teams to promotion in La Liga, South America and Uruguay.
