It has been announced that Javi Gracia is no longer leading the Watford football team as their head coach.
Following a loss to Swansea City on Saturday, the club from Hertfordshire secured only a single victory in its last five matches and finds itself trailing a Championship play-off spot by four points.
Having previously come back to Vicarage Road in October for a second tenure subsequent to Paulo Pezzolano’s dismissal, Gracia relinquished his position on Sunday, merely three months into his role.
A statement released by the Hornets expressed the organization’s sorrow and regret regarding confirmation of Javi Gracia’s decision to step down from his managerial duties.
The statement clarified that while the club maintained confidence in Gracia’s ability to guide them toward a promotion bid, Gracia himself felt a lack of motivation and concluded he was no longer suitable to coach the promising young squad.
It further stated that his choice was respected, and his request to depart Vicarage Road instantly was granted.
Despite this, the club affirmed its strong standing in the Championship, being four points shy of the play-off positions with a match still to play and seventeen fixtures left in the season.
It was underscored that everyone within the organization firmly believed the current roster possessed the capability to vie for promotion.
The statement concluded by extending gratitude to Javi and his staff for their contributions across two periods at the club, wishing him and his family well, and assuring them of an ongoing warm reception at Watford.
Watford’s upcoming Championship fixture will see them journey to face Hull City on Tuesday.
📸 Leila Coker – 2026 Getty Images
