Hertfordshire | Watford have changed manager again

Watford have sacked Pezzolano and reappointed Gracia

Pezzolano, 42, was appointed in May after Watford dismissed Tom Cleverley, becoming the club’s 12th manager since Javi Gracia’s first spell ended in 2019.

Author | Danny H

The Hornets reshaped their squad during the summer, bringing in 13 new signings following a disappointing 14th-place finish under Cleverley last season.

After a sluggish start to the campaign, signs of progress began to emerge, with seven points taken from their previous three games, including a 2-1 victory over Oxford United on Saturday, lifting them to 11th in the table.

Pezzolano’s tenure proved even shorter than that of Rob Edwards, who lasted just 11 matches in 2022 before departing for his current role at second-placed Middlesbrough.

Gracia’s journey back to English football

His return to Vicarage Road comes more than two years after his dismissal by Leeds United in May 2023, having overseen just 12 games before being replaced by Sam Allardyce.

His first stint at Watford ran from January 2018 to September 2019, a 20-month spell that remains the longest of any Hornets manager in the past 14 years.

Under his guidance, Watford recorded their best-ever Premier League finish of 11th and reached the FA Cup final, where they were comprehensively beaten 6-0 by Manchester City.

However, the team were bottom of the top flight when the club opted to part ways with him and reappoint Quique Sánchez Flores for a second spell, a move that backfired as the Spaniard lasted only three months.

Gracia will now link up with the squad ahead of his first match back in charge, away to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, 18 October. 

This decision is going to delight Watford fans | The reaction of a Watford Season Ticket holder

Fans atmosphere at Watford FC

Watford supporter Jamie Thompson said: 

Gracia was a hugely popular figure during his first spell seven years ago. His 2018-19 Watford side was full of talented players, securing an 11th-place finish in the Premier League and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals with a victory over Wolves before losing to Manchester City in the final.

His charismatic personality endeared him to supporters, and the subsequent break-up of that squad, followed by his dismissal, has contributed to a period of relative decline for the club.

The departure of Pezzolano had been anticipated. The Uruguayan needed an immediate impact given the owner’s ambition to challenge for promotion.

While results were showing signs of improvement, some questionable team selections and decisions are thought to have influenced the board’s choice.

Pezzolano had hoped for the time to impose his authority over the players, the team and the club, but that opportunity was never likely to materialise.