Watford Manager Javi Gracia has resigned just three months after returning to Vicarage Road.placeholder image
Watford Manager Javi Gracia has resigned just three months after returning to Vicarage Road. | Getty Images
The Spaniard recently oversaw a thumping 3-0 win over Birmingham City but has recently experienced a difficult run of results
Gracia - who only returned for a second spell at Vicarage Road in October, called for an emergency meeting with club owner Gino Pozzo following Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Swansea, with the team dropping down to 10th in the table and four points outside the play-offs.
The former Leeds United boss made an initially strong return to life in Hertfordshire and even oversaw a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Birmingham City on New Years Day - a result which would ultimately prove to be his last three points with the Hornets.
Gracia resigns as Watford manager
Gracia told Sky Sports in a candid interview after his side’s loss to Swansea: “I want to speak to the owners about everything, what is happening in the future, everything. We have to know clearly where we are going.
"I want to speak to them today if I can. I think that you have to do things as soon as possible."
Following those discussion news broke today from Watford of Gracia’s decision to step down despite the club’s confidence that he was the man to turn things around and lead them to the Premier League.
“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. “
What next for Watford?
The Hornets are now seeking their 24th manager since the Pozzo family took the reins in 2012.
They started the campaign with Uruguayan coach Paulo Pezzolano but sacked him in October after 10 matches before turning back to Gracia, who they also sacked back in 2019 just months after he had led them to an FA Cup final.
Charlie Daniels, formerly of Bournemouth, along with ex-Newcastle United midfielder Dan Gosling and ex-Crystal Palace defender Adrian Mariappa will all work together to oversee the first team on an interim basis while the search for a manager takes centre stage.
The Hornets face West Brom on matchday 44 on Tuesday 21 April at the Hawthorns Stadium. The Baggies will hope by then to have secured their status as a second-tier club.
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