Watford Sack Their Manager Following a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Former Boss as Manager
The Championship side have taken the decision to end their manager's contract after only five months and 10 matches in control, confirming the return of former boss the Spanish coach as his successor.
Reports suggest that Pezzolano, appointed in the spring to take over from the interim manager, along with his backroom team, were told not to take training on Wednesday as rumors about his imminent departure grew on Tuesday.
Pezzolano was called to a meeting where he became the 11th head coach Watford have moved on since the beginning of 2020.
"The club is delighted to welcome back Gracia," said the club's chief executive. "His passion, guidance and well-defined plan will help us build consistency, unity and momentum.
"We are sure many fans who hoped Gracia had never departed in the past. With this young and exciting team, we are convinced his know-how and attributes are precisely what we need at this moment."
The returning manager previously led Watford to the FA Cup final for the second time in their history in that year, but was sacked a few matches into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds United in last year.
"For me, the emotion I have right now is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the happiest time of my professional life," Gracia stated. "I have fond recollections and we have loose ends here. For us, it's another significant move in our journey.
"It is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this campaign. If we are together, we are more powerful."
Pezzolano's sacking arrives despite their victory against Oxford United at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a slow start that yielded five points from the first six games.
The Uruguayan is said to have departed disappointed by the decision to sack him, having guided the side to a three-match unbeaten run that also included a victory at home over Hull City and a tie at Fratton Park, leaving them three points off the promotion playoffs.
Pezzolano joined soon after the end of last season with a strong record of guiding teams to promotion in Spain, South America and Uruguay.
