Javi Gracia Resigns As Watford Head Coach After Three Months In Second Spell

Watford are again without a head coach after Javi Gracia resigned, only three months into a second spell at Vicarage Road. The decision left the Championship side seeking a third manager of the 2025-26

season, underlining a period of major instability.

The club confirmed on Sunday that Gracia had stepped down with immediate effect. Watford released a statement which read: "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. "

Since Gracia’s first tenure ended in September 2019, Watford went through a long sequence of coaching changes. Thirteen different managers, including temporary spells and Gracia’s latest return, have taken charge. That list also featured Hayden Mullins, who served as caretaker boss during one of several short transitions at the club.

Gracia’s initial time at Watford peaked with a run to the FA Cup final in the 2018-19 season. That campaign increased expectations around Vicarage Road, yet Gracia departed a few months later in September 2019. Watford struggled to find continuity afterwards, rotating through multiple appointments in quick succession.

The Spaniard came back in October 2025 after Paulo Pezzolano was dismissed following 10 matches. Results initially improved under Gracia and performances stabilised. However, a 2-0 home defeat by Swansea City on Saturday damaged their push for a play-off place, and discussions then led to the coach’s decision to walk away.

https://t.co/WQlU1YGuSuWatford Football Club (@WatfordFC) February 1, 2026

Watford must now identify a new head coach capable of maintaining their promotion challenge after Gracia’s exit. The club’s search comes with the team still in contention for the play-offs, yet also dealing with a history of short managerial reigns that continue to shape expectations among supporters and observers.