Watford Sack Pezzolano, Rehire Gracia as Manager After Poor Championship Start

Watford Football Club has sacked manager Paulo Pezzolano after only five months and 10 games in charge, despite recent positive results, including a victory over Oxford that lifted them to 11th in the Championship. Pezzolano became the 11th Watford manager to be dismissed since 2020 amid growing supporter dissatisfaction and internal concerns about the club's short-term culture, despite his previous record of promotions in Spain, Brazil, and Uruguay. Former manager Javi Gracia, who led Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019 and achieved the club's highest Premier League finish, has been confirmed as Pezzolano's replacement and will resume training duties immediately. Gracia, who left Watford in 2019 and last managed Leeds in 2023, had previously declined a return due to health issues but is now back at Vicarage Road. The club's chairman and owner expressed confidence that Gracia's passion, leadership, and strategic approach will bring stability and momentum to Watford's young squad. Watford continues to pursue promotion ambitions under owner Gino Pozzo, who has overseen 21 permanent managerial appointments in 13 years, often favoring experienced former managers for the role.