Club statement as former Leeds United boss resigns from job after big concerns are aired
An ex-Leeds United boss has resigned from his job.
Former Leeds United boss Javi Gracia has resigned from his position as Watford’s head coach, prompting a club statement from the Hornets.
Leeds turned to Spaniard Gracia in the club’s failing bid for Premier League survival back in February 2023, Gracia replacing the sacked Jesse Marsch but himself only lasting 12 games at the helm.
Gracia then had nearly two and a half years out of management but the 55-year-old returned to former club Watford in October as he was appointed new Hornets head coach following the sacking of Paulo Pezzolano.
Watford suffered just two defeats in Gracia’s first eight games in charge, three of which produced victories, and December’s 2-1 loss at Birmingham City was then followed by a seven-game unbeaten run.
Five of those matches ended in Hornets victories but the club have since gone five games without a win - losing three of them - and Gracia took the decision to resign on the back of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea City.
The loss left the Hornets 10th in the table but still only four points of the play-off places.
Gracia had declared after the defeat that he wanted to speak with the club’s owner amid concern over “the level of the team, the situation of the team and maybe the future of the team as well”.
“Felt he no longer had the motivation”
An official statement from Watford read: “The club is sad and disappointed to confirm the resignation of Javi Gracia as head coach.
“We retain the belief Javi was the right man to lead the club towards its push for promotion, but Javi felt he no longer had the motivation and was not the right man to continue coaching this exciting group of young players.
“We respect his decision and accept his wish to leave Vicarage Road with immediate effect.
“Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa will take charge of the team against Hull City on Tuesday night. We remain well placed in the Championship, four points off the play-offs with a game in hand and 17 matches remaining.
“Everybody at the club believes wholeheartedly this is a squad capable of challenging for promotion.
“We would like to thank Javi and his team for their work during two spells at the club. We wish him and his family the best and they will always receive the warmest of welcomes at Watford. “