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The Championship side have taken the move to terminate their manager's tenure after only five months and 10 games in charge, confirming the reappointment of former boss Javi Gracia as his successor.

It is understood that Pezzolano, appointed in the spring to replace Tom Cleverley, along with his backroom team, were instructed not to lead practice on Wednesday as rumors about his imminent departure grew on the previous day.

The 40-year-old was called to a discussion where he became the 11th head coach the club have let go since the start of 2020.

"The club is very pleased to reappoint Gracia," stated the club's chief executive. "His passion, guidance and well-defined plan will foster consistency, togetherness and positive energy.

"We believe many fans who wished Javi had never departed in the past. With this young and exciting team, we are convinced his experience and qualities are precisely what we require at this moment."

The returning manager guided Watford to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in the club's history in 2019, but was dismissed several games into the following campaign and most recently coached at Leeds United in last year.

"Personally, the emotion I have right now is that I'm returning home. It was the most enjoyable time of my professional life," Gracia stated. "There are very good memories and we have loose ends at Watford. For us, it's another significant move in our career.

"It is something special for us, and simultaneously we are very ambitious for this season. If we are united, we are more powerful."

The decision to remove Pezzolano arrives even after the team's win against Oxford at their home ground on Saturday, which moved them to 11th in the second tier after a slow start that earned a handful of points from the initial six matches.

Pezzolano is reportedly departed disappointed by the call to let him go, having guided the side to a three-match unbeaten run that also included a victory at home over Hull City and a draw at Portsmouth, placing them three points off the playoff places.

The coach joined shortly after the end of the previous campaign with a strong record of guiding clubs to advancement in La Liga, Brazil and his home country.