Former Leeds United boss seals return to Championship club after surprise sacking
A former Leeds United manager is back in work after taking charge of a Championship club.
Championship club Watford have confirmed they have parted company with head coach Paulo Pezzolano - and have immediately named a former Leeds United manager as his successor.
The former Real Valladolid and Cruziero boss was appointed as Hornets boss during the summer as they looked to move on from an underwhelming season last time out as they ended the campaign sat in fourteenth place in the second tier table.
Despite claiming wins against Oxford United, Hull City and Queens Park Rangers during the opening two months of the season, Watford are currently sitting in eleventh place in the table and are three points adrift of the play-off places ahead of Saturday’s visit to Sheffield United.
Speculation over Pezzolano’s future at Vicarage Road has increased in recent days and the Hornets have now confirmed they have parted company with the Uruguayan and immediately named former Leeds United boss Javi Gracia as his successor. The Spaniard will take immediate charge and will be in the away dugout as his second managerial spell with Watford gets underway at Bramall Lane.
A Hornets statement read: “Watford FC are delighted to confirm the return of Javi Gracia as Head Coach after deciding to part ways with Paulo Pezzolano and his backroom staff, whom we thank sincerely for their efforts and commitment during their time in charge. We wish them every success in the future.
“In appointing Javi, the club are confident that he will bring the qualities we believe are vital for this young squad: consistency in team selection, harmony within the dressing room and a strong connection with our supporters. His vision and approach align closely with our objectives.”
Speaking in the club statement, Hornets chairman Scott Duxbury added: “We are very pleased to welcome back Javi. His passion, leadership and clear strategy will help us build stability, unity and momentum. We are sure there are many supporters who wished Javi had never departed in 2019. With this young and exciting squad we are convinced his experience and qualities are exactly what we need now.”
What did Javi Gracia say about his departure from Leeds United?
A statement released after his departure in early May 2023 read: “I’m grateful for this opportunity and proud of the team, both players and coaching staff. That's how I would like to summarise my time at Leeds United. I would have preferred a different moment, but the circumstances have changed. We arrived on a short three-month contract. And we did it because we believed in this team. We considered our chances and had confidence. And we know it is possible. We are not talking about miracles, but about the efficient result of a well done work and a process of improvement.
“The coaching staff and I took over the team in 19th position, with a run of ten games without a win. Today, after eleven games played and four games left in the league, the team is out of the relegation zone and with a good chance of achieving the objective. It has been a very intense period for many reasons. A busy schedule, injuries and a young but skilled team. However, we managed to position ourselves better than our rivals and this is shown by the results.
“Compared to our direct rivals and since we were hired, we are the team with the most points - eleven in total - compared to our main competitors. I am confident that the team will achieve its objective. It is a committed squad full of quality.”
Your next Leeds United read: Leeds United contract latest as four set to leave Elland Road next summer