Watford Dismiss Paulo Pezzolano After 10 Games and Reappoint Former Boss as Head Coach
Watford Football Club have made the move to terminate Paulo Pezzolano's contract after just five months and 10 games in charge, announcing the return of former boss Javi Gracia as his replacement.
Reports suggest that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in the spring to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead practice on Wednesday as rumors about his exit mounted on Tuesday.
Pezzolano was summoned for a meeting where he was named the 11th head coach Watford have let go since the beginning of the year 2020.
"The club is delighted to welcome back Gracia," stated the club's chief executive. "His enthusiasm, leadership and clear strategy will help us build consistency, togetherness and momentum.
"We are sure many fans who wished Javi had never departed in 2019. With this talented team, we are certain his experience and attributes are exactly what we require at this moment."
The returning manager guided the team to the FA Cup final for the second time in their history in that year, but was sacked a few matches into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds United in 2023.
"For me, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm going back home. It was the happiest period of my career," he stated. "I have fond memories and we have unfinished business at Watford. For us, it's a further significant move in our journey.
"This is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this season. If we are together, we are more powerful."
The decision to remove Pezzolano comes despite their victory against Oxford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, which lifted them to 11th in the second tier after a slow start that earned a handful of points from the initial six matches.
The Uruguayan is reportedly departed dismayed by the decision to sack him, having guided Watford to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a victory at home over Hull and a draw at Fratton Park, placing them three points off the playoff places.
The coach arrived shortly after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of guiding clubs to advancement in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay.