fbpx
Connect with us

Championship

Watford to sack 17th permanent manager since 2015 with former boss lined up to return

Watford are to sack Paulo Pezzolano, their 17th permanent manager since 2015, with their former boss Javi Gracia lined up to return.

Sky Sports first reported the news with presenter Tom White saying: “Right, talking of time, Watford managers don’t tend to get much of it, and it looks like that’s gonna be the same with Paolo Pezzolano, because Watford are set to sack their manager.

“Crunch talks being held today with the club hierarchy, expected to part ways with Pezzolano, who’s 42 years old. He only joined Watford in May.

“You’d call it a mixed start to life in the Championship this season. But he was backed quite heavily for a Championship club in the transfer market. They’re currently 11th in the table. They’ve won three, they’ve drawn three and they’ve lost three.

“And we understand that their former boss, Javi Gracia, is the number one target to come back to the club and replace Pezzolano. Watford have done that in the past, haven’t they? With Quique Sanchez Flores. He’s left and then they’ve brought him back.

“They are hoping to do the same. with Javi Gracia. So more on that as we get it, but Watford are set to sack their manager, Paolo Pezzolano.”

Paulo Pezzolano said after the 2-1 victory over Oxford United at the weekend: “The lesson here is that you should always be ready and you should always be prepared.

“It’s a very long season, and sometimes you have to wait.

“You need to be ready and right now the squad is showing that everyone is ready, and everyone is ready to compete when needed.”

“The team continues to show that character, and continues to show that determination and attitude to turn things around.

“One day it might happen that it won’t be possible, because it’s not easy to turn around a game.

“It’s always good to know that the team has that characteristic and the most important thing was the attitude and energy right from kick-off.

“There was the determination to go forward to create chances and overcome the goal they scored at the beginning.

“Getting those two goals in that moment gave us the tranquillity and the calmness to face the second half.

“I’m a bit upset that we haven’t been able to get that third. Jeremy had a wonderful game and he deserves everything good that happens to him.

“He’s a really good person, a really good teammate, and he’s very much appreciated in the changing room.

“It’s really good that he has a moment like this.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Watford to sack their 17th permanent manager since 2015 with a former boss lined up to return…

@JordanWiemer: A couple quick thoughts on Javi. There is some genuine talent in this squad, but they’re young. I don’t feel that this is a ‘Plug and Play’ situation for a coach. Whoever comes in needs time with this group and maybe Javi’s previous experience will allow him that time that others wouldn’t have. It’s definitely a streamlined appointment. Looking at his last spell here it’s easy to assume quite a few of our squad are about to become square pegs.. But I think there’s maybe some more flexibility in the squad than we give it credit for. We also don’t know we’ll be back in the 4-4-2. He inherited a top end pairing of Capoue/Doucoure and built a team around it. It’s not the only shape he’s used so we should hang fire on system being a deal breaker.

@DanCohen17: Javi isn’t going to play 3-5-2. He’s either going to play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. The squad is SO heavily weighted to play 3 central defenders though, it’s going to cause issues with personnel. Mendy, Pollock, Keben, Abankwah, Alleyne, Morris – all center backs. Plus, arguably, Wiley too. By going to four, the dynamic will shift within the structure. Do we have the midfielders to play a 4-3-3 regularly? Can Irankunda and Baah be continually successful in a front three? Or is a 4-4-2 with Baah wide one side and Irankunda up top? Regardless, appointment is stupid!

@Gavin1Ruff: He’s been there since May so that makes him Watford’s third longest-serving manager this century.

@jeaton__: #Watfordfc are a business. You can’t have Baah, Dwomoh, Doumbia (all valuable assets) nowhere near the playing squad. Just not how Gino operates. Not surprised in the slightest. Adios Paulo 👋

@BcfcMichael:
There are 3 things certain in life
1) Death
2) Taxes
3) Watford sacking a manager

@Jack1wfc: Not sure about Javi Gracia. 2nd time never works out 🤞🤞🤞 #WatfordFC

@FreyaQuinton: JAVI???? I love that man.

@LukeCarey1881: Honestly I’m not sure about this, just relying on getting Javi in, if we don’t back to square one.

@james__glen: So who’s responsible at @WatfordFC for yet another failed Head Coach appointment, Gino, Duxbury or Nani? Would love to see a tally chart for who’s been hiring the most.

@Paulfleming__: Just want to give a big shoutout to Gino Pozzo and Scott Duxbury for fucking up yet another managerial appointment #watfordfc

@JordanWiemer: Buckle up. Things are about to get weird.

@cultureforce1: Gino’s shortlist is purely based on nostalgia and chants… Im all here for it. We’re either winning the Plays-Offs or spending next season in League one. At least we’re never boring 🐝

Watford fans make feelings known as Pezzolano explains decision to sub off Irankunda on 35 minutes

Watford cause a stir posting video of Paulo Pezzolano’s passionate yet awkward post match speech

Watford fans call for club to sack manager after defeat to Millwall and poor start to season

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Championship