Championship membership ‘unhappy and disenchanted’ as supervisor resigns regardless of play-off battle
Watford announced that manager Javi Gracia has resigned from his position.
The Spaniard, 55, has quit his post less than four months in his second stint at Vicarage Road. The Hornets were beaten 2-0 at home by Swansea City on Saturday. Following the defeat, Gracia decided to walk away from the job, and Watford have confirmed his untimely exit. A statement read: “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.
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“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.”
Watford face a daunting trip to 3rd place Hull City on Tuesday before taking on Southampton the following Saturday, with an interim manager hoped to be in place next week.
Speaking after the defeat yesterday, Gracia hinted at discontent. He told the BBC: “We are in a very difficult moment.
“I knew before the game [that] it could happen. Some players are injured, some players are gone, some players are coming, some players are playing with discomfort. The last results speak about the team now.”
Gracia previously managed Watford to a mid-table Premier League finish and an FA Cup final during his first spell before returning to the club in October after his predecessor Paulo Pezzolano lasted just 10 games before he became the latest of a long line of Watford managers to be sacked.
