'I'm coming home' – Watford reappoint Gracia after sacking Pezzolano

Watford have sacked head coach Paulo Pezzolano after less than five months in charge and reappointed their former boss Javi Gracia.

Pezzolano was appointed in May following the departure of Tom Cleverley, but he only oversaw nine Championship games before being dismissed.

Pezzolano's first six matches yielded a return of just five points, and though he turned their form around with two wins and a draw going into the international break, the Hornets have decided to make a change while sitting 11th in the table.

Gracia has taken Pezzolano's place, returning to the dugout for the first time since an ill-fated three-month tenure with Leeds United in 2023.

Gracia previously managed Watford from January 2018 to September 2019, leading them to the FA Cup final in his only full campaign at the helm.

They were thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City at Wembley, suffering the joint-heaviest defeat in FA Cup final history, alongside Derby County's 1903 defeat to Bury (also 6-0).

"I'm really happy to be back," Gracia told the club's website. "For me, the feeling I have in this moment is that I'm going back home.

"It was the happiest time of my career. I have very good memories, and we have unfinished business here."

Gracia won 18 of his 56 Premier League games in charge of Watford, with his 32% win rate being the best of any Hornets boss in the competition.

The Spaniard's first game back at the club will be away at Sheffield United, who are bottom of the Championship and have lost eight of their nine games this season, on October 18.

His first match back at Vicarage Road will be against West Brom four days later, before a trip to league leaders Coventry City on October 25.