🔗 Share this article Watford Dismiss Their Manager Following a 10-Match Stint and Bring Back Javi Gracia as Head Coach The Championship side have made the move to terminate Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after only a brief period and 10 matches in charge, announcing the return of former boss the Spanish coach as his successor. Reports suggest that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in the spring to take over from the interim manager, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead training on Wednesday as rumors about his exit grew on the previous day. Pezzolano was called to a discussion where he became the 11th manager Watford have moved on since the start of 2020. "The club is delighted to reappoint Gracia," stated the club's chief executive. "His passion, leadership and well-defined plan will foster stability, unity and momentum. "We believe many fans who hoped Javi had never departed in the past. With this young and exciting squad, we are convinced his know-how and attributes are exactly what we need now." The returning manager guided the team to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in the club's history in 2019, but was sacked a few matches into the next season and most recently coached at Leeds United in 2023. "For me, the emotion I have right now is that I'm returning to a familiar place. It was the most enjoyable time of my professional life," he stated. "There are very good memories and we have unfinished business here. For us, it's another significant move in our journey. "This is something special for us, and simultaneously we are highly motivated for this season. If we are together, we are more powerful." The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives despite their win against Oxford at their home ground on the weekend, which lifted them to 11th in the Championship after a difficult opening that earned five points from the first six games. The Uruguayan is said to have left dismayed by the decision to let him go, having led Watford to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a home win over Hull and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them three points off the promotion playoffs. Pezzolano arrived soon after the end of the previous campaign with a proven track record of leading clubs to promotion in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay.