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Watford Football Club have taken the decision to end Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after just five months and 10 games in charge, announcing the reappointment of ex-manager Javi Gracia as his replacement.

It is understood that the Uruguayan coach, appointed in May to take over from Tom Cleverley, along with his technical staff, were instructed not to take training on Wednesday as speculation about his exit mounted on the previous day.

The 40-year-old was called to a discussion where he became the 11th head coach the club have let go since the start of the year 2020.

"The club is delighted to welcome back Javi," stated Watford's chairman and CEO. "His passion, guidance and well-defined plan will foster consistency, togetherness and positive energy.

"We are sure there are many supporters who wished Gracia had never departed in the past. With this young and exciting squad, we are certain his know-how and qualities are precisely what we need at this moment."

The returning manager guided Watford to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in their history in that year, but was dismissed a few matches into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.

"For me, the emotion I have in this moment is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the happiest period of my professional life," Gracia stated. "There are fond memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's a further significant move in our career.

"This is a unique opportunity for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this season. If we are united, we are stronger."

Pezzolano's sacking comes even after their win against Oxford United at their home ground on Saturday, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a difficult opening that yielded five points from the initial six matches.

Pezzolano is reportedly departed dismayed by the call to let him go, having guided the side to a undefeated streak of three games that featured a victory at home over Hull and a draw at Portsmouth, placing them within touching distance off the playoff places.

Pezzolano joined soon after the conclusion of the previous campaign with a strong record of guiding clubs to promotion in Spain, Brazil and his home country.