Watford sack Pezzolano after 10 games and reappoint Gracia

Watford person sacked caput coach Paulo Pezzolano aft conscionable 10 games successful complaint of nan Championship nine and replaced him pinch erstwhile leader Javi Gracia.

Pezzolano, 42, was appointed successful May pursuing Watford's determination to sack Tom Cleverley, making him nan club's 12th leader since Gracia's first spell ended successful 2019.

The Hornets overhauled nan squad by bringing successful 13 players complete nan summertime aft past season's 14th-place decorativeness nether Cleverley.

After a mediocre commencement to nan run they had shown signs of improvement, taking 7 points from their past 3 games, including Saturday's 2-1 win complete Oxford United, to climb to 11th successful nan table.

Pezzolano's spell successful complaint was moreover shorter than nan 11 matches Rob Edwards - now caput coach of second-placed Middlesbrough - was fixed successful 2022.

"In appointing Javi, nan nine are assured he will bring nan qualities we judge are captious for this young squad: consistency successful squad selection, harmony wrong nan dressing room and a beardown relationship pinch our supporters," Watford's statement said., external

The nine added they "thank sincerely" Pezzolano and his unit "for their efforts and committedness during their clip successful charge".

The Uruguayan won three, drew 3 and mislaid 4 of his 10 games successful complaint but has been displaced by nan return of Spaniard Gracia, 55.

"We are very pleased to invited backmost Javi," Watford president and main executive Scott Duxbury said.

"His passion, activity and clear strategy will thief america build stability, unity and momentum.

"We are judge location are galore supporters who wished Javi had ne'er departed successful 2019. With this young and breathtaking squad we are convinced his acquisition and qualities are precisely what we request now."

Gracia's return to Vicarage Road comes much than 2 years aft he was sacked by Leeds United successful May 2023, having been successful complaint for only 12 games, to make measurement for Sam Allardyce.

His first spell astatine Watford lasted from January 2018 to September 2019, that 20-month tenure being nan longest enjoyed by immoderate Hornets leader successful nan past 14 years.

During his clip successful charge, Watford achieved a best-ever Premier League decorativeness of 11th spot and besides reached nan FA Cup last earlier losing 6-0 to Manchester City.

They were, however, bottommost of nan apical formation erstwhile Watford decided to portion institution pinch him and bring backmost Quique Sanchez Flores for a 2nd spell successful charge, a determination which backfired arsenic he only lasted 3 months.

Gracia will instantly statesman moving pinch nan Hornets squad earlier his first crippled backmost successful complaint against Sheffield United astatine Bramall Lane connected Saturday, 18 October.

By Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio sports editor

This determination is going to delight nan immense mostly of Watford fans.

Gracia was an highly celebrated fig erstwhile he was successful complaint 7 years ago. His 2018-19 Hornets squad was packed pinch wonderfully talented players which led to an 11th-placed decorativeness successful nan Premier League and FA Cup semi-final occurrence against Wolves earlier nan last conclusion to Manchester City.

His characteristic was infectious and nan supporters warmed to him. The break-up of that squad and his dismissal has led to Watford being successful comparative diminution since.

The sacking of Pezzolano has been coming. The Uruguayan had to get disconnected to a speedy commencement aft nan owner's ambition to conflict for promotion.

He didn't - though results were improving - but immoderate questionable squad selections and decision-making whitethorn person influenced nan board's decision.

He was hoping for clip to stamp his authority connected nan players, nan squad and nan nine but that was ne'er apt to happen.