Not Another One? Watford Part Ways With Head Coach Javi Gracia

Javi Gracia Resigns From Watford Post

Not another one? pic.twitter.com/uAiqgVo3FO

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 19, 2025

Watford head coach Javi Gracia has tendered his resignation, bringing an end to his second spell of leading the club, having only rejoined in October.

The Hornets were in flying form under the Spaniard until January, when a 5-1 FA Cup defeat to Bristol City ended their strong run and brought around one of opposing fortunes.

They've since lost three and drawn two of their last five, which has seen Watford slip away from the Championship play-off battle into 10th, four points behind Wrexham in sixth.

Gracia requested a meeting with the board regarding transfers and ambitions, where it looks as though he told them of his desire to depart.

Whoever comes in next will be the 24th Watford manager since 2012, when the current owners took charge of the club. They've certainly earned their track record, haven't they?

I feel hearing Watford have lost their manager brings an element of normality to life.

— 𝗣𝗘𝗗 (@PED7) February 1, 2026

A look at how long every permanent Watford has been at the club since Javi Gracia's first reign in charge 🔍 pic.twitter.com/uE0dBz2zhX

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 1, 2026

On Gracia's Terms

Following a disappointing home defeat to Swansea on Saturday, the head coach delivered a press conference that wasn't exactly to the level of Enzo Maresca or Ruben Amorim, but you could tell his mind was made up on his future.

He sounded as though this result was the final straw.

"We are in a very difficult moment," Gracia said to BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I knew before the game 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."

As the conference continued, he effectively created and answered questions about his future, when many a Watford fan probably didn't expect to see the back of him yet, despite the club's track record.

By 2050 you will never be more than five metres away from a former Watford manager https://t.co/z9Rk9GMr2z

— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) February 1, 2026

"I want to speak with the owner and to know how they feel because I'm really disappointed with the level of the team, the situation of the team and maybe the future of the team as well.

"The energy, the atmosphere in the team now, we are not so optimistic as we were," Gracia added.

It's clear that the dip in form hit the dressing room hard, and an apparent lack of backing in the transfer window only added to Gracia's concerns about the club, bringing in Eduardo Bove, who is not up to match fitness yet, and Stephen Mfuni, a teenager from Man City.

Watford "Sad and Disappointed"

A club statement made clear that the club did not want Gracia to leave, and still believed in his ability to lead the team back to the Premier League, having taken them to an FA Cup final and 11th in the Prem in his first stint at Watford.

"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."

Reaching the play-offs is still an achievable goal on paper, with the club only four points behind the top six with 17 games left to play, so there must be some serious issues behind the scenes for Gracia to have walked at this stage.

For Javi to walk away from the job it must’ve been pretty bad. We never hear about managers resigning, not that he was doing the best but he loves Watford. Such a shame it ended like this. #WatfordFC

— Caity (@wfccaity) February 1, 2026

"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."

Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa are going to take charge of the team in their next game against Hull City on Tuesday night, a side who are challenging for automatic promotion following an outstanding few months.