Javi Gracia’s return to Watford would have come five months ago – had he not broken seven ribs falling off a ladder.
The Spaniard will begin his second stint in charge of the Hornets at the weekend, after he was announced as Paulo Pezzolano’s successor.
Gracia had been out of work since being sacked by Leeds in 2023GettyPezzolano’s ten-match reign at Vicarage Road was brought to an end last week, after winning just three out of nine Championship games.
The brutal sacking came just five months after the Uruguayan’s appointment, when he replaced former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley in May.
But it turns out Pezzolano wasn’t the only candidate at the time, with Gracia also being approached about a return, six years after being dismissed by the club in 2019.
That was before a cruel twist of fate took him out of the running, when he suffered two major health setbacks.
The first of these was a DIY accident, which Gracia discussed in a recent interview with Watford legend Troy Deeney.
‘Very, very painful’
He said: “I had a lot of free time at home and my wife wanted me [to] help with this and that around the house.
“I was up a ladder, I fell four metres (13ft) and I broke seven ribs. It was very, very painful.
“It’s fine now, I’ve fully recovered but I also have a new right hip. The surgery for that was much better than [breaking] the ribs.”
But after receiving a clean bill of health, there was no stopping Gracia from making a comeback at the second time of asking.
He has now become Watford‘s 22nd permanent head coach under owner Gino Pozzo, while 12 of these have come in the time since his previous exit from the club.
Tom Cleverley was dismissed by Watford after 13 months in charge back in MayGetty YouTube: @watfordfcofficial Gracia discussed the health woes which prevented him from taking the Watford job five months ago[/caption] YouTube: @watfordfcofficialThe Spaniard showed the extent of his rib injuries on screen when he sat down with Troy Deeney[/caption]How was Gracia’s first spell at Watford?
Gracia was first Hornets boss between January 2018 and September 2019, where he charted some huge achievements.
The 55-year-old guided the club to the FA Cup final in 2019 and an 11th-place finish in his only full Premier League season in charge.
He picked up 25 wins from his 66 games in charge but was axed four months after his side were thrashed 6-0 in the FA Cup final by Manchester City.
After his dismissal, Gracia took charge of Valencia for a year, before managing Qatari side Al Sadd between 2021 and 2022.
An ill-fated spell in charge of Leeds followed in 2023, where he was sacked after just three months at Elland Road.
‘Unfinished business’
Having since had a two-year break from coaching, Gracia revealed he is raring to go again as he looks to spearhead a promotion charge at Watford.
Gracia guided Watford to the FA Cup final for just the second time in the club’s historyGetty Images - GettyThe Hertfordshire club currently sit 11th in the Championship table, having picked up seven points from their last three games.
On his plans going forward, Gracia said: “You have to know when to be demanding, and when to speak with players.
“But it feels like I am coming home and I have unfinished business here.
“I see the people who worked here with me long ago and it’s easier for me, I like it this way.
“It’s one of the main reasons I’m here — to live this experience again.”
Gracia will target the first three points of his second stint at Vicarage Road with an away trip to Sheffield United on Saturday.
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