Watford Sack Their Manager Following a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Former Boss as Head Coach
The Championship side have made the decision to terminate their manager's tenure after only five months and 10 games in control, announcing the reappointment of former boss Javi Gracia as his successor.
It is understood that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in the spring to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his technical staff, were instructed not to take practice on Wednesday as speculation about his exit mounted on the previous day.
Pezzolano was summoned for a meeting where he became the 11th manager the club have moved on since the beginning of 2020.
"We are delighted to welcome back Javi," stated the club's chief executive. "His enthusiasm, leadership and well-defined plan will help us build stability, unity and momentum.
"We are sure many fans who wished Javi had never departed in the past. With this young and exciting squad, we are convinced his know-how and qualities are precisely what we need now."
Gracia guided the team to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in their history in 2019, but was dismissed several games into the next season and most recently coached at Leeds United in last year.
"Personally, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the most enjoyable time of my professional life," he stated. "There are very good recollections and we have loose ends at Watford. For us, it's a further important step in our journey.
"This is a unique opportunity for us, and simultaneously we are highly motivated for this season. If we are united, we are more powerful."
Pezzolano's sacking comes despite the team's victory against Oxford United at their home ground on the weekend, which lifted them to 11th in the Championship after a slow start that yielded a handful of points from the initial six matches.
Pezzolano is said to have departed dismayed by the call to let him go, having guided the side to a three-match unbeaten run that featured a home win over Hull City and a draw at Portsmouth, leaving them three points off the playoff places.
The coach arrived soon after the conclusion of last season with a strong record of guiding teams to promotion in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay.
