Watford Part Ways With Their Manager Following a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Javi Gracia as Head Coach
Watford Football Club have taken the decision to end their manager's contract after only a brief period and 10 matches in charge, announcing the reappointment of former boss Javi Gracia as his successor.
Reports suggest that Pezzolano, appointed in the spring to take over from Tom Cleverley, along with his backroom team, were told not to lead practice on Wednesday as speculation about his exit grew on Tuesday.
Pezzolano was called to a meeting where he became the 11th manager Watford have moved on since the beginning of the year 2020.
"We are very pleased to reappoint Gracia," said the club's chief executive. "His enthusiasm, guidance and well-defined plan will foster stability, togetherness and momentum.
"We believe many fans who wished Gracia had stayed on in 2019. With this talented squad, we are certain his experience and attributes are exactly what we require at this moment."
Gracia guided the team to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in their history in 2019, but was dismissed several games into the next season and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.
"For me, the feeling I have in this moment is that I'm returning home. It was the most enjoyable period of my professional life," Gracia remarked. "I have very good memories and we have unfinished business at Watford. For us, it's a further significant move in our career.
"It is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are highly motivated for this campaign. If we are united, we are stronger."
The decision to remove Pezzolano comes despite their victory against Oxford at their home ground on Saturday, which moved them to 11th in the second tier after a slow start that yielded five points from the initial six matches.
The Uruguayan is said to have left dismayed by the decision to let him go, having guided Watford to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a home win over Hull and a draw at Portsmouth, placing them within touching distance off the promotion playoffs.
Pezzolano arrived shortly after the conclusion of the previous campaign with a proven track record of guiding clubs to promotion in Spain, South America and Uruguay.
