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The Championship side have taken the move to terminate Paulo Pezzolano's tenure after just five months and 10 matches in control, confirming the return of former boss the Spanish coach as his replacement.

It is understood that the Uruguayan coach, appointed in the spring to replace the interim manager, along with his technical staff, were told not to take practice on Wednesday as rumors about his imminent departure mounted on Tuesday.

Pezzolano was summoned for a discussion where he became the 11th head coach the club have moved on since the beginning of 2020.

"We are very pleased to welcome back Javi," said the club's chief executive. "His passion, leadership and clear strategy will foster consistency, togetherness and momentum.

"We are sure there are many supporters who wished Javi had stayed on in the past. With this talented team, we are certain his experience and attributes are exactly what we need now."

The returning manager guided Watford to the FA Cup showpiece for the second time in the club's history in that year, but was sacked several games into the following campaign and last managed at Leeds in 2023.

"For me, the feeling I have right now is that I'm returning to a familiar place. It was the happiest time of my professional life," he remarked. "I have very good recollections and we have unfinished business at Watford. For us, it's a further significant move in our journey.

"This is a unique opportunity for us, and at the same time we are very ambitious for this season. If we are together, we are stronger."

Pezzolano's sacking arrives despite the team's win against Oxford at Vicarage Road on the weekend, which moved them to eleventh place in the Championship after a slow start that earned a handful of points from the first six games.

The Uruguayan is said to have departed dismayed by the decision to sack him, having guided Watford to a three-match unbeaten run that also included a home win over Hull City and a tie at Fratton Park, leaving them within touching distance off the promotion playoffs.

Pezzolano arrived soon after the end of last season with a strong record of leading teams to promotion in La Liga, Brazil and his home country.