Big news is coming out of England’s Championship football league! Watford Football Club, also known as The Hornets, have decided to make a major change on the sidelines. After parting ways with head coach Paulo Pezzolano, the club has announced the return of Javi Gracia as their new first-team manager.
This move marks the second time Gracia will lead Watford. Fans may remember his first spell from January 2018 to September 2019, when he helped the team stay in the Premier League and even guided them all the way to the FA Cup Final. That was one of the most exciting seasons in Watford’s modern history, even though the final ended in a tough defeat against Manchester City.
Let’s break down what happened, why Gracia’s return is so important, and what this means for Watford’s future — along with some fun soccer facts and news from around the football world!
A Quick Look at Watford FC
Watford FC is a well-known English club based in Hertfordshire. They play their home matches at Vicarage Road Stadium, a cozy ground that can hold around 22,000 passionate fans. The team’s colors are yellow and black, which earned them the nickname The Hornets.
In recent years, Watford has bounced between the Premier League (the top division) and the Championship (the second division). Like many clubs that go up and down between divisions, consistency has been a big challenge.
Watford is also famous for its frequent manager changes. Over the last decade, the club has had more than 10 different managers! That’s one of the highest numbers among English professional teams. Some fans joke that Watford changes managers almost as often as some people change their favorite video games.
Who Is Javi Gracia?
Javi Gracia is a Spanish coach from Pamplona, in the region of Navarra. Before becoming a manager, he was a professional soccer player, mainly playing as a defensive midfielder.
As a coach, he has managed teams in several countries, including Spain, England, Greece, and Qatar. Gracia is known for being calm, organized, and good at improving team structure. He doesn’t usually shout or argue on the sidelines — instead, he focuses on tactics and teamwork.
When Gracia first took over Watford in 2018, the team was struggling to avoid relegation from the Premier League. But under his leadership, they not only stayed up, they also finished 11th in the 2018/19 season — a very impressive result for a club of Watford’s size.
Even more memorable was their FA Cup run, where they reached the final for the first time in 35 years. Although they lost 6–0 to Manchester City, it was still a historic achievement and a proud moment for fans.
Sadly, a poor start to the next season saw the team drop near the bottom of the league table, and Gracia was sacked in September 2019. Now, over six years later, he’s back — and Watford supporters are hoping he can bring the magic again.
Goodbye, Paulo Pezzolano
The man Gracia replaces is Paulo Pezzolano, a Uruguayan coach who joined Watford earlier in 2025. Pezzolano had only been in charge for 10 matches, but results didn’t go the way the club hoped. Watford are currently 11th in the Championship, far from the automatic promotion spots.
In modern football, especially in England, clubs in the Championship are desperate to reach the Premier League because of the huge financial rewards that come with it. A single season in the Premier League can be worth over £100 million in TV and sponsorship money!
That’s why teams are often quick to make changes if they feel results are not improving fast enough.
What the Club Said
Here’s what the club wrote in their official statement:
“Watford FC is delighted to confirm the return of Javi Gracia as head coach after deciding to part company with Paulo Pezzolano and his support staff, whom we sincerely thank for their efforts and commitment during their time in charge. We wish them every success in the future.”
Fans reacted quickly online. Many supporters on social media said they were “happy to see Gracia back” and that “the club finally made a smart decision.” Others said they were surprised, since Gracia hadn’t been linked with the job until recently.
Soccer Facts and News Combo
Here are some cool soccer facts and recent news updates connected to Watford’s world:
Did You Know? Watford’s biggest Premier League win under Javi Gracia was a 4–1 victory over Chelsea in 2018. It was one of the club’s most famous modern wins.
Soccer Fact #2: The FA Cup final Watford reached in 2019 was watched by more than 85,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.
Soccer Fact #3: Watford’s top scorer during Gracia’s first spell was Troy Deeney, a powerful striker who scored key goals against Arsenal, Spurs, and Wolves.
Soccer News Combo: Other Championship teams like Leeds United, Southampton, and Sunderland are also pushing hard for promotion this season. The race for the top two spots is heating up, and Watford’s new leadership could make a difference.
Bonus Tip: In football betting combos, teams with new managers often show strong early performances — a trend known as the “new manager bounce.” This means Watford could surprise opponents in their next few games!
Why This Move Makes Sense
Bringing back Javi Gracia isn’t just about nostalgia or emotion — it’s also about stability and identity. Gracia already knows the club, understands English football, and has experience leading players in high-pressure moments.
He’s also good at improving defense and motivating players to play as a team. Those qualities are exactly what Watford need right now to push back up the table.
The Championship season is long — 46 games! — so there’s still time for Watford to climb the standings and fight for a playoff spot, or even a direct promotion place.
What’s Next for Watford
Watford fans will be watching closely to see how Gracia’s first few games go. His first matches will likely set the tone for the rest of the season.
The club’s upcoming fixtures include tough opponents like Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, and Leeds United — all teams with promotion hopes of their own.
If Gracia can quickly build team chemistry and bring confidence back, Watford might just rediscover the winning formula that made them so exciting a few years ago.
Final Thoughts
Watford’s decision to bring back Javi Gracia is both bold and hopeful. It’s a reunion that brings back good memories for fans who remember the thrilling FA Cup journey and competitive Premier League battles.
For young soccer fans following the Championship, this is a great example of how football isn’t just about skill on the pitch — it’s also about leadership, teamwork, and timing.
Whether you’re a Watford supporter or just love learning about soccer, one thing is clear: the beautiful game never runs out of surprises.
As the season continues, keep an eye on. Under Gracia, the Hornets might just sting their way back to the top again!
