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 Paulo Pezzolano's contract after only five months and 10 games in charge, announcing the reappointment of ex-manager the Spanish coach as his successor.
Reports suggest that Pezzolano, appointed in May to take over from the interim manager, along with his technical staff, were instructed not to take training on midweek as rumors about his exit mounted on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old was called to a meeting where he was named the 11th head coach Watford have moved on since the beginning of 2020.
"We are very pleased to reappoint Javi," said the club's chief executive. "His passion, guidance and well-defined plan will help us build consistency, togetherness and positive energy.
"We are sure there are many supporters who wished Gracia had stayed on in 2019. With this talented squad, we are certain his know-how and attributes are precisely what we require now."
Gracia guided Watford 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 in last year.
"For me, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm returning to a familiar place. It was the happiest time of my professional life," Gracia remarked. "There are fond memories and we have unfinished business at Watford. For us, it's a further important step in our journey.
"This is something special for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this season. If we are united, we are stronger."
Pezzolano's sacking arrives even after the team's win against Oxford United at their home ground on the weekend, which lifted them to eleventh place in the second tier after a difficult opening that earned five points from the first six games.
The Uruguayan is said to have left disappointed by the call to sack him, having guided Watford to a undefeated streak of three games that also included a home win over Hull City and a tie at Fratton Park, leaving them three points off the playoff places.
Pezzolano arrived soon after the end of last season with a proven track record of guiding teams to promotion in La Liga, Brazil and Uruguay.
