Watford Part Ways With Paulo Pezzolano Following a 10-Match Stint and Bring Back Javi Gracia as Manager
The Championship side have made the move to end Paulo Pezzolano's contract after just five months and 10 matches in control, confirming the return of former boss Javi Gracia as his replacement.
Reports suggest that Pezzolano, who was hired in the spring to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his backroom team, were told not to take training on Wednesday as rumors about his exit grew on Tuesday.
Pezzolano was summoned for a discussion where he became the 11th head coach the club have let go since the start of 2020.
"We are delighted to reappoint Gracia," said Watford's chairman and CEO. "His enthusiasm, leadership and well-defined plan will help us build stability, togetherness and momentum.
"We believe many fans who wished Javi had never departed in 2019. With this talented squad, we are convinced his experience and qualities are precisely what we require now."
Gracia guided Watford to the FA Cup final for the only other occasion in their history in 2019, but was sacked a few matches into the next season and last managed at Leeds in 2023.
"Personally, the emotion I have right now is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the most enjoyable period of my career," Gracia remarked. "There are very good memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's another significant move in our career.
"It is something special for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this campaign. If we are together, we are stronger."
Pezzolano's sacking comes despite the team's win against Oxford United at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a slow start that earned five points from the initial six matches.
The Uruguayan is said to have departed disappointed by the decision to sack him, having guided the side to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a home win over Hull and a tie at Fratton Park, leaving them within touching distance off the promotion playoffs.
The coach arrived soon after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of guiding clubs to advancement in La Liga, South America and Uruguay.
