The turmoil at Vicarage Road continues as Watford have officially parted ways with head coach Paulo Pezzolano after just ten competitive matches in charge. The Uruguayan tactician, who took over from Tom Cleverley on May 13, has been dismissed following a mixed start to the 2025–26 campaign — winning only three of his ten games.
Watford have swiftly moved to appoint Javi Gracia for a second spell at the club, marking yet another managerial change in a turbulent few years for the Hornets. Gracia, who previously guided Watford to an FA Cup final in 2019, returns with a mandate to steady the ship and reignite their push for Premier League promotion.
In an emotional statement shared on his official social media accounts, Pezzolano expressed both disappointment and disbelief at the club’s decision, insisting that he was leading Watford in the right direction.
“Watford FC have told me that our paths are going separate ways,” Pezzolano wrote. “After months of intense work at every level, the results showed that we were building in the right direction to reach our goal of returning to the Premier League this season, with a squad capable of achieving it. We had full confidence in that and a firm belief that we could do it, always staying true to our principles.”
Pezzolano’s short reign was reportedly marred by speculation of internal disagreements and poor relationships within the club hierarchy. Club legend Troy Deeney hinted in a recent interview that the former Cruzeiro boss had “fallen out with everyone at the club,” fuelling rumours of dressing-room unrest.
However, Pezzolano firmly denied those claims, branding them as “rubbish” and expressing frustration at how his departure was handled.
“I didn’t fall out with anyone,” he clarified. “When results don’t come, people start talking and stories spread — that’s just the nature of the job. But I always worked with honesty and respect. I feel ill-treated by how things went, but I wish the club and the players the very best for the future.”
Pezzolano’s dismissal continues Watford’s reputation for frequent managerial changes, with the Uruguayan becoming their fifth permanent boss in just over two years.
As the Hornets prepare for yet another rebuild under Javi Gracia, fans remain divided — some believing the decision came too soon, while others argue that the team’s lack of consistency justified the move. One thing, however, is certain: the managerial merry-go-round at Vicarage Road shows no signs of slowing down.
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