Watford have sacked manager Paulo Pezzolano after only five months and 10 games in charge, with former boss Javi Gracia returning to replace him. Pezzolano, appointed in May to succeed Tom Cleverley, was told not to take training on Wednesday after speculation about his departure mounted on Tuesday.
The Uruguayan becomes the 11th manager Watford have dismissed since the start of 2020. Chairman Scott Duxbury welcomed Gracia back, saying: 'His passion, leadership and clear strategy will help us build stability, unity and momentum.'
Gracia led Watford to the 2019 FA Cup final but was sacked early the following season. He last managed Leeds in 2023. 'For me, the feeling I have in this moment is that I'm going back home,' Gracia said. 'We have unfinished business here.'
Pezzolano's dismissal comes despite a 1-0 win over Oxford on Saturday that lifted Watford to 11th in the Championship. The club had taken five points from their first six games but then went three matches unbeaten, including a home win over Hull and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them three points off the playoff places.
Pezzolano arrived with a strong record of guiding clubs to promotion in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay, but his tenure lasted just 10 matches.
