The Hornets Sack Their Manager Following a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Former Boss as Head Coach
Watford Football Club have taken the move to terminate their manager's tenure after just five months and 10 matches in charge, confirming the return of ex-manager Javi Gracia as his successor.
Reports suggest that Pezzolano, appointed in May to take over from Tom Cleverley, along with his technical staff, were instructed not to lead practice on Wednesday as rumors about his imminent departure grew on the previous day.
Pezzolano was summoned for a discussion where he was named the 11th manager Watford have moved on since the start of the year 2020.
"The club is very pleased to reappoint Javi," stated the club's chief executive. "His passion, leadership and well-defined plan will help us build stability, unity and positive energy.
"We believe there are many supporters who hoped Javi had stayed on in the past. With this talented squad, we are certain his experience and qualities are precisely what we need now."
Gracia previously led Watford to the FA Cup final for the only other occasion in the club's history in 2019, but was dismissed a few matches into the next season and last managed at Leeds United in last year.
"For me, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm returning to a familiar place. It was the happiest period of my career," he remarked. "There are very good recollections and we have unfinished business at Watford. For us, it's a further important step in our career.
"It is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this campaign. If we are united, we are more powerful."
The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives even after their victory against Oxford at their home ground on Saturday, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a difficult opening that earned a handful of points from the first six games.
The Uruguayan is said to have departed disappointed by the decision to sack him, having guided Watford to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a victory at home over Hull City and a draw at Fratton Park, leaving them three points off the promotion playoffs.
The coach joined soon after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of guiding teams to advancement in La Liga, South America and Uruguay.
