The Hornets Part Ways With Their Manager Following 10 Games and Bring Back Javi Gracia as Manager
The Championship side have taken the decision to terminate their manager's contract after just five months and 10 matches in control, confirming the reappointment of former boss the Spanish coach as his replacement.
Reports suggest that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in May to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead training on midweek as rumors about his exit mounted on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old was called to a meeting where he became the 11th head coach Watford have let go since the beginning of 2020.
"The club is very pleased to reappoint Javi," said Watford's chairman and CEO. "His enthusiasm, guidance and well-defined plan will foster stability, unity and positive energy.
"We are sure there are many supporters who wished Gracia had stayed on in the past. With this young and exciting squad, we are convinced his know-how and attributes are precisely what we require now."
Gracia guided the team to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in the club's history in that year, but was sacked a few matches into the following campaign and last managed at Leeds United in 2023.
"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 stated. "I have fond memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's another significant move in our journey.
"It is something special for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this season. If we are united, we are more powerful."
Pezzolano's sacking comes despite their victory against Oxford United at Vicarage Road on Saturday, which lifted them to 11th in the Championship after a slow start that yielded a handful of points from the initial six matches.
Pezzolano is said to have left dismayed by the call to sack him, having led the side to a three-match unbeaten run that also included a victory at home over Hull and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them three points off the playoff places.
The coach joined soon after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of leading teams to promotion in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay.
