Gracia resigns as Watford coach after three months

Watford head coach Javi Gracia has resigned from his position after just over three months in charge, following the club’s 2-0 defeat to Swansea City in the Championship.

The 55-year-old Spaniard, who returned to Vicarage Road for a second spell in October, confirmed his decision after holding talks with club owner Gino Pozzo.

Gracia admitted the team were in a “very difficult moment” and questioned whether he was still the right person to lead the side.

In a statement, Watford said: “We retain the belief Javi was the right man to lead the club towards its push for promotion, but Javi felt he no longer had the motivation and was not the right man to continue coaching this exciting group of young players. We respect his decision and accept his wish to leave Vicarage Road with immediate effect.”

Watford currently sit 10th in the Championship table, four points outside the play-off places, with an away fixture against third-placed Hull City scheduled for Tuesday.

Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa will take charge of the team on an interim basis for that match.

Second spell cut short

Gracia previously managed Watford between 2018 and 2019, guiding the club to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League and an FA Cup final. His second stint, however, lasted just 21 matches.

He initially made a positive impact after replacing Paulo Pezzolano, winning eight and losing only three of his first 16 games. That momentum faded after the turn of the year, with Watford failing to win any of their last four matches.

Concerns over form and planning

Following the defeat to Swansea, Gracia publicly expressed frustration with the team’s performances and hinted at dissatisfaction with the club’s January transfer activity.

“I want to speak with the owner and to know how they feel because I’m really disappointed with the level of the team, the situation of the team and maybe the future of the team as well,” he said.