The Hornets Sack Their Manager After a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Javi Gracia as Manager
Watford Football Club have taken the decision to terminate their manager's tenure after just five months and 10 matches in charge, confirming the return of former boss Javi Gracia as his successor.
Reports suggest that Pezzolano, who was hired in the spring to replace the interim manager, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead practice on midweek as rumors about his exit grew on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old was summoned for a discussion where he became the 11th head coach the club have moved on since the start of 2020.
"We are very pleased to reappoint Gracia," stated Watford's chairman and CEO. "His enthusiasm, guidance and well-defined plan will foster consistency, unity and positive energy.
"We are sure there are many supporters who wished Javi had never departed in the past. With this young and exciting squad, we are certain his experience and qualities are precisely what we need at this moment."
The returning manager previously led Watford to the FA Cup final for the second time in their history in that year, but was sacked several games into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.
"Personally, the feeling I have right now is that I'm returning home. It was the happiest time of my career," Gracia remarked. "I have fond memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's a further important step in our journey.
"It is something special for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this season. If we are together, we are stronger."
The decision to remove Pezzolano comes even after their victory against Oxford at their home ground on the weekend, which moved them to eleventh place in the Championship after a difficult opening that earned a handful of points from the first six games.
Pezzolano is reportedly left dismayed by the call to sack him, having guided Watford to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a home win over Hull City and a tie at Fratton Park, leaving them within touching distance off the playoff places.
Pezzolano arrived shortly after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of guiding teams to advancement in La Liga, Brazil and Uruguay.
