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Watford Football Club have made the move to end Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after just a brief period and 10 matches in charge, confirming the return of former boss Javi Gracia as his replacement.

It is understood that Pezzolano, who was hired in May to replace the interim manager, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to take training on midweek as speculation about his imminent departure mounted on Tuesday.

Pezzolano was summoned for a discussion where he became the 11th manager the club have moved on since the start of 2020.

"We are delighted to reappoint Javi," said the club's chief executive. "His enthusiasm, leadership and clear strategy will help us build stability, unity and positive energy.

"We are sure there are many supporters who wished Gracia had never departed in the past. With this talented team, we are certain his know-how and qualities are exactly what we need at this moment."

Gracia guided Watford to the FA Cup final for the second time in the club's history in that year, but was dismissed several games into the next season and most recently coached at Leeds in 2023.

"Personally, the emotion I have right now is that I'm going back to a familiar place. It was the most enjoyable time of my career," Gracia stated. "I have very good memories and we have loose ends here. For us, it's a further important step in our career.

"This is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this season. If we are together, we are stronger."

The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives even after the team's victory against Oxford United at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which lifted them to eleventh place in the Championship after a slow start that yielded five points from the first six games.

Pezzolano is said to have departed dismayed by the call to sack him, having led Watford to a undefeated streak of three games that also included a home win over Hull City and a tie at Portsmouth, leaving them within touching distance off the promotion playoffs.

The coach arrived shortly after the conclusion of the previous campaign with a strong record of leading teams to promotion in La Liga, South America and his home country.