Watford FC: Hornets Fight for Championship Playoff Spot Under Gracia’s Leadership

The Return of Javi Gracia to Vicarage Road

Watford Football Club welcomed back Spanish manager Javi Gracia on 8 October 2025, after Paulo Pezzolano was dismissed. This marks Gracia’s second spell at the Championship club, having previously managed the Hornets between January 2018 and September 2019. During Gracia’s first coaching period, he led the team to achieve the club’s best record in Premier League history, finishing 11th, and reaching the FA Cup final, cementing his status as a fan favourite at Vicarage Road.

The appointment came after a disappointing start to the 2025/26 season under Pezzolano, who managed just 10 games before his departure. The Watford hierarchy accept that 11th place and nine points is not the worst of starts, however, they believe Gracia will get even more out of the squad which they heavily invested in in the summer.

Current Season Progress and Recent Performance

Watford currently sits 14th in the English Championship, battling to secure a playoff position. The club recently secured a vital 1-0 victory over Stoke City on 20 December 2025, extending their unbeaten run. Luca Kjerrumgaard’s second-half goal extended the Hornets’ Championship unbeaten run to four matches and moved them to within three points of the play-offs.

Following the Stoke victory, Gracia expressed pride, stating the players followed the plan and went in the right positions to defend well, to be compact, to be solid. The win was particularly significant as it came with a clean sheet, addressing defensive concerns from previous matches.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the recent positive results, Gracia has been candid about the challenges facing the club. He acknowledged it’s not going to be an easy season in terms of staying at the top of the table, noting they’re the youngest team in the division and a club that tends to change its squad a lot.

In a revealing interview, Gracia stated he doesn’t know how long his career will last, doesn’t think it will be much longer, and sees himself enjoying family and friends from a different perspective, adding he won’t be coaching for much longer. This admission has raised questions about the long-term stability of the managerial position.

According to the Watford boss, their goal this season is to qualify for the playoffs, and he’s confident that in the second half of the season, as a young team, they’ll settle in and achieve better results. With the festive fixtures approaching and the season at a crucial juncture, Watford supporters will hope Gracia can deliver the consistency needed to secure a return to the Premier League through the playoff route.