Championship boss resigns after four months despite being in play-off race

Javi Gracia has resigned from Watford after just four months in charge.

Gracia was only hired in October for his second spell at the club.

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He replaced Paulo Pezzolano, who himself lasted just 10 games at Vicarage Road.

Gracia was previously at the club between 2018 and 2019, leading them to the FA Cup final in 2019.

The 55-year-old returned to the Hornets on October 8, winning three of his first six games in charge.

He has led Watford to within touching distance of the Championship play-offs.

They are just four points off Wrexham in sixth, with a game in hand.

However, Gracia will now leave Watford for a second time.

Under-23s coach Charlie Daniels will take charge of Tuesday’s trip to Hull.

It follows their 2-0 defeat to Swansea on Saturday, with no wins in all competitions in their last five.

That came after a run of four straight victories over the festive period, beating Stoke, Leicester, Norwich and Birmingham.

Watford said in a statement: “The club is sad and disappointed to confirm the resignation of Javi Gracia as Head Coach. 

“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. 

“Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa will take charge of the team against Hull City on Tuesday night. We remain well placed in the Championship, four points off the play-offs with a game in hand and 17 matches remaining.

“Everybody at the club believes wholeheartedly this is a squad capable of challenging for promotion. 

“We would like to thank Javi and his team for their work during two spells at the club. We wish him and his family the best and they will always receive the warmest of welcomes at Watford. “

Gracia’s reaction after Swansea defeat

Marko Stamenić and Josh Key scored the goals for Swansea as Watford slipped to just a second defeat in their last 11 Championship games.

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“The team was better in the first half than the second,” said Gracia.

“In the first half we had more moments where we dominated, with more arrivals and more chances.

“But in the second half after the first goal from a corner, in that moment we felt like we didn’t have more power to keep doing the same things we did before.

“In my opinion we were better in the first 45 minutes, but after the goal we were not able to compete well.”

Another Watford sacking

It may feel like déjà vu… but yes Watford have axed another manager.

Gracia becomes the 13th manager to have left Watford in just five years.

He becomes the 23rd different manager of the Pozzo family’s reign at the club since 2012.

Eight of those have lasted fewer than 15 games.