The Hornets Part Ways With Paulo Pezzolano Following 10 Games and Bring Back Former Boss as Manager
The Championship side have made the decision to end Paulo Pezzolano's contract after just a brief period and 10 games in charge, announcing the return of ex-manager the Spanish coach as his replacement.
Reports suggest that the Uruguayan coach, appointed in May to replace the interim manager, along with his backroom team, were told not to take training on midweek as rumors about his imminent departure grew on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old was called to a meeting where he was named the 11th head coach the club have moved on since the beginning of the year 2020.
"The club is very pleased to reappoint Gracia," stated the club's chief executive. "His enthusiasm, leadership and clear strategy will help us build stability, unity and momentum.
"We are sure many fans who wished Javi had never departed in the past. With this talented squad, we are convinced his know-how and qualities are precisely what we need at this moment."
Gracia guided Watford to the FA Cup final for the second time in the club's history in that year, but was sacked several games into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.
"For me, the feeling I have in this moment is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the happiest period of my professional life," Gracia stated. "There are very good recollections and we have unfinished business here. For us, it's another significant move in our journey.
"This is a unique opportunity for us, and simultaneously we are highly motivated for this campaign. If we are united, we are stronger."
The decision to remove Pezzolano comes even after their victory 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 first six games.
Pezzolano is reportedly departed dismayed by the call to sack him, having led the side to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a home win over Hull City and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them three points off the promotion playoffs.
Pezzolano arrived soon after the conclusion of the previous campaign with a proven track record of guiding teams to advancement in Spain, Brazil and his home country.
