The Hornets Dismiss Paulo Pezzolano After a 10-Match Stint and Reappoint Javi Gracia as Manager
The Championship side have made the move to end Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after just a brief period and 10 matches in charge, announcing the reappointment of former boss the Spanish coach as his replacement.
It is understood that the Uruguayan coach, who was hired in the spring to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his technical staff, were told not to lead training on midweek as rumors about his imminent departure mounted on Tuesday.
Pezzolano was called to a discussion where he was named the 11th head coach the club have moved on since the start of 2020.
"We are very pleased to welcome back Gracia," stated the club's chief executive. "His passion, leadership and clear strategy will foster consistency, unity and positive energy.
"We are sure many fans who wished Gracia had stayed on in the past. With this young and exciting team, we are certain his experience and attributes are precisely what we need now."
The returning manager guided the team to the FA Cup final for the only other occasion in the club's history in that year, but was sacked a few matches into the next season and last managed at Leeds in 2023.
"For me, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the most enjoyable period of my professional life," he remarked. "I have fond memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's another significant move in our journey.
"This 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."
The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives despite the team's victory against Oxford United at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which lifted them to 11th in the second tier after a slow start that yielded a handful of points from the initial six matches.
Pezzolano is reportedly left disappointed by the decision to let him go, having guided the side to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a victory at home over Hull and a draw at Fratton Park, placing them three points off the playoff places.
The coach arrived soon after the conclusion of the previous campaign with a proven track record of leading clubs to promotion in La Liga, South America and his home country.
