Paulo Pezzolano speaks out on being sacked by Watford after just 10 games in charge and in the same announcement appointed Javi Gracia.
Pezzolano, who believed the team was on track for Premier League promotion, expressed gratitude to players, staff, and fans in a farewell message, touched on commitment to his values and confidence in the squad’s potential.
Fans, reporters, pundits say that he struggled with inconsistent tactics, frequent lineup changes, and a language barrier, causing confusion and frustration among players. See more HERE.
Issues included erratic scheduling, strict dietary rules, and formation shifts, leading to his dismissal despite a mid-table position. Troy Deeney also claimed that Pezzolano has “fallen out with everybody” at Watford.
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Paulo Pezzolano said in his social media said: “Watford FC have told me that our paths are going separate ways.
“After months of intense work at every level, the results showed that we were building in the right direction to reach our goal of returning to the Premier League this season, with a squad capable of achieving it. We had full confidence in that and a firm belief that we could do it, always staying true to our principles.
“Those who know me understand that, both on and off the pitch, my values, principles, and ethics never waver. I have always worked — and will continue to work — guided by these standards, without exception.
“I want to thank the players for their attitude, commitment, and the respect they have shown towards me and the entire coaching staff. My thanks also go to all the club employees, whose daily effort and cooperation we value deeply.
“From the first day, my family and I have felt at home here, and that’s why I sincerely hope Watford achieve the promotion their people truly deserve.
‘With gratitude, Paulo Pezzolano.”
Watford assistant sporting director Valon Behrami told BBC Radio 3CR: “The results are a part of that, even if in the last week we saw a lot of improvement, that’s not where we want to be as a position.
“We saw the ability of Javi Gracia and we thought it was the best solution for our future before it gets too late. We thought a lot about the decision but it was the right decision and the right moment to do that.
“We have still a lot of time but it’s important to have such a manager who doesn’t even need the time to settle in because he knows everyone at the club, he knows everything about our supporters.”
Various podcasts saw fans, pundits, reporters, journalists react, touching on concerns raised about cultural issues at the club, poor due diligence in hiring, and a pattern of alternating between disciplinarian and lenient managers.
Also spoken about was Pezzolano’s divisive approach, including his strict discipline and poor man-management, which led to disharmony.
The sacking was also seen as understandable due to poor performances, fan discontent, and a lack of player support, highlighted by an awkward dressing room video.
Watford’s owners, the Pozzos, are criticised for frequent managerial changes, but this move is viewed as less harsh compared to previous sackings of managers like Tom Cleverly and Valerien Ismael.
First words from new Watford boss Javi Gracia as inside story behind sacking Pezzolano emerges
Scott Duxbury took over as Watford’s CEO on 12 July 2012, and since then he has overseen 22 managerial changes, which is the highest number of sackings by a chairman or chief executive in English football, by a considerable margin. #WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/CZqbVZHCwS
— Daniel Maolruanaidh (@Dan_Report) October 8, 2025
“He’s high profile, it’s difficult to have this kind of manager in the Championship…It’s created great energy for us”#WatfordFC assistant sporting director Valon Behrami talks to @Ashmead72 about the reappointment of Javi Gracia, after Paulo Pezzolano was sacked.
— BBC Sport Three Counties (@BBCSport3CR) October 8, 2025
Jobi McAnuff spoke on the situation at Watford while on BBC’s Football Daily show…
72+ presenter Aaron Paul: “Jobi it’s Groundhog Day again. Watford hiring an old manager.”
Jobi: “Just find a clip of me from the show for the past three or four years as, and just roll that in, mate. It’s bonkers, genuinely. mean, why? Why do they even bother appointing? It’s just crazy.
“You know, they go these sort of left-wing managers that we’ve not heard about, them no time at all. And again, last time I checked.
“You know, in terms of looking at the table, they’ve done okay. I mean, where should Watford be with the greatest respect with all the turnover with the recruitment structure that is all over the place, let’s be honest.
“And then you’re going to turn around and say, you know, we’re nowhere near where we think we should be there 11th at the moment.
“You know, it’s like, they’re three points off the playoffs. I mean, make it make sense to me Watford Football Club, what is going on there, and not even getting rid of someone who’s done okay, and I will only say okay, when we talk about Watford, we talk about inconsistent.
“They’ve played nine, they’ve won three, they’ve lost three, they’ve drawn three. That is Watford in a nutshell for me over the last couple of years.”
🗣️ “Why do they even bother?”
👀 Javi Gracia’s back at Watford after Pezzolano’s sacked… 10 games in.@jobimcanuff7 isn’t impressed#BBCFootball #WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/TCNT5UgqOU
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 8, 2025
So how have fans reacted as Paulo Pezzolano speaks out on being sacked by Watford after just 10 games in charge?
Alan Raymond Palmer: This statement seems to contradict a lot of what has been said. Clearly he wasn’t go to come out and tell us what was really going on so why bother at all!
Caroline Hall: I don’t understand how you can knock that statement. Pretty classy if you ask me considering the club and some of the fans have treated him like 💩 and given him no time.
Ivan Veall: What is your point here? I do not support my team unconditionally and I do not ride a wave of optimism when things are good. But I do wonder what your perspective is as by my interpretation you are both passionate and a glass half empty! Supporting WFC has always been a precarious ride, so what would be your ideal?
Matt Smith: Classy message from someone completely out of his depth – yet again they got it wrong
Gavin Murray: Matt Smith they keep getting it wrong because they don’t give people enough time. It wasn’t about him being out of his depth.
Shawn Bedford: We have a really tough run of games coming up. Coventry, WBA, Boro and Ipswich. Not easy but no game in this league is.
Jay Funnell: Probably has to say that ,so as not to mess up Amy compensation or owed wages
John B Hunt: About as confusing as his team talks
@meadey36: Most of the club believed otherwise during pre season. Terrible behavior by the club to appoint him in the first place.
@dannyseabs: He was never gonna say anything to the contrary at this point whether he thinks it or not. Personally I thought he was a poor appointment but then I’ve said that about dozens of managers/head coaches before him in the last 13/14 years
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