Former Leeds United manager Javi Gracia is set to return to English football in the coming days, with a Championship club set to wield the axe on their manager in the coming hours.
Gracia is not remembered fondly at Leeds as he was part of the manager carousel that took place at Elland Road in the 2022/23 season, which resulted in their relegation back to the Championship.
The Spaniard replaced Jesse Marsch at the helm in February 2023, and despite winning his first game, he struggled at Leeds and was sacked in May with four games left in the season, and the Whites were sitting 17th in the table.
He has been without a managerial job since he was removed from Leeds, but he is now set to return to England, with Watford expected to make a managerial appointment in the coming hours.
Watford are set to take the former Leeds United boss back to Vicarage Road
Watford have had a middling start to the season with three wins, three draws and three losses in their opening nine Championship games.
However, they have lost their last two league games, and the Pozzo family’s patience has run out. They are set to sack Paulo Pezzolano, who is set to become the 15th manager to be removed at Watford in the last 10 years.
According to Sky Sports News, the Hornets are set to take Gracia back to Vicarage Road as their new manager during the international break.
The 55-year-old is keen to return to English football, and talks between Watford and his representatives are at an advanced stage over a contract.
Gracia previously worked at Watford and guided the team to their highest-ever finish in the Premier League in 11th place. However, he was sacked in September 2019 after a poor start to the campaign.
They are sitting 11th in the league table, and Watford are keen to return to the top flight. Gracia will be tasked with the job of finishing in the top six this season.
BREAKING: Watford are set to sack manager Paulo Pezzolano with the club 11th in the table 🟡
Crunch talks are being held today with the club hierarchy expected to part ways with the 42-year-old.
Sky Sports News understands Javi Gracia is the number one target to replace… pic.twitter.com/blM1TxnXT3
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 7, 2025
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United defenders?
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