The Hornets Part Ways With Their Manager Following 10 Games and Reappoint Javi Gracia as Head Coach
Watford Football Club have taken the decision to terminate their manager's contract after only a brief period and 10 matches in control, announcing the return of former boss the Spanish coach as his successor.
It is understood that Pezzolano, who was hired in May to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead practice on Wednesday as speculation about his exit grew on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old was summoned for a discussion where he became the 11th head coach Watford have let go since the beginning of the year 2020.
"The club is very pleased to welcome back Gracia," said Watford's chairman and CEO. "His enthusiasm, leadership and clear strategy will help us build stability, togetherness and momentum.
"We believe there are many supporters who hoped Javi had stayed on in 2019. With this talented team, we are convinced his experience and qualities are precisely what we require now."
The returning manager guided the team to the FA Cup final for the second time in the club's history in that year, but was sacked a few matches into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.
"Personally, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm going back home. It was the happiest time of my career," he stated. "I have fond memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's a further significant move in our journey.
"This is something special for us, and at the same time we are highly motivated for this campaign. If we are united, we are more powerful."
Pezzolano's sacking comes despite their win against Oxford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, which moved them to 11th in the Championship after a difficult opening that earned a handful of points from the first six games.
Pezzolano is reportedly left disappointed by the decision to sack him, having led the side to a undefeated streak of three games that also included a home win over Hull City and a tie at Portsmouth, placing them three points off the playoff places.
The coach arrived shortly after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of leading teams to advancement in Spain, South America and his home country.
