Javi Gracia resigns as Watford head coach
Javi Gracia has stepped down as Watford head coach, departing Vicarage Road less than a day after the Hornets suffered a 2-0 loss against Swansea City on Saturday, reports BritPanorama.
The 55-year-old Spaniard, who made his return to the Championship club in October, cited a loss of motivation as his reason for walking away. According to the club’s statement, Gracia “felt he no longer had the motivation and was not the right man to continue coaching this exciting group of young players.”
His departure comes with immediate effect, ending his second stint in charge of the Hertfordshire outfit. Gracia’s return to Watford followed the dismissal of Paulo Pezzolano, who managed just 10 matches at the start of the campaign. During his second spell, the Spanish coach secured victories in eight of his 20 league fixtures before resigning.
The weekend defeat to Swansea marked Watford’s fifth consecutive match without a win across all competitions, a run that ultimately proved decisive in Gracia’s decision to step aside from the role. His first tenure at Vicarage Road spanned from January 2018 until September 2019, giving him considerable familiarity with the club before his comeback.
Watford expressed their sadness at Gracia’s departure, stating they remained convinced he was the appropriate choice to guide their promotion push. The club confirmed they “respect his decision and accept his wish to leave Vicarage Road with immediate effect.”
Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa have been appointed to oversee first-team duties on a temporary basis, with the trio set to lead the side when they face Hull City on Tuesday evening. Despite the managerial upheaval, Watford insisted they maintain full confidence in their squad’s ability to compete for a return to the top flight.
Watford currently sit four points adrift of the Championship play-off places, though they hold a game in hand over their rivals with 17 fixtures still to play this season. The club emphasised their conviction that the current squad possesses the quality required to mount a serious promotion challenge.
In their statement, Watford thanked Gracia and his coaching staff for their contributions across both periods at the club, adding: “We wish him and his family the best and they will always receive the warmest of welcomes at Watford.” As the Hornets prepare for their next fixture against Hull, the question remains whether this latest chapter will spark a revival or deepen their struggles.
