Watford FC manager news: Javi Gracia speaks out, Gino Pozzo is running a "circus", Does Charlie Daniels want permanent job? | OneFootball

Watford are on the hunt for their 24th manager of the Pozzo Family era after Javi Gracia's untimely exit

In what is an all too familiar tale, Watford are looking for another new manager after Javi Gracia announced his resignation on the eve of transfer deadline day.

Having returned to Vicarage Road in October 2025 for his second stint to replace Paulo Pezzolano, some six years after his first stay ended, Gracia won eight of his 21 matches in charge of the Hornets - yet shockingly tendered his resignation on February 1.

That meant Watford went into transfer deadline day without a head coach, but they managed to get two loan deals done for Saint-Etienne midfielder Pierre Ekwah and Udinese centre-back Saba Goglichidze before the window shut.

A goalless draw with in-form Hull City followed on Tuesday night under the interim leadership of Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa, and whilst they watch over first-team proceedings for now, Gino Pozzo and his board of directors will be on the hunt for a solution to Gracia's departure.

Here is the latest news rounded up by FLW on Watford's manager search...

Javi Gracia releases statement after surprise Watford FC exit

The departure of Gracia from Watford for a second time certainly caught most people off guard.

The 55-year-old decided to move on from the club after less than four months in charge following a 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea City, and he's since released a statement outlining his shock decision.

Gracia believes that resigning was the "honest thing to do" because he could "no longer contribute with full conviction" to trying to improve Watford's fortunes.

And whilst the Spaniard believes the Hornets possess "a young squad with enormous potential for growth", he has decided that he's not the man to make that happen, leaving the role for someone else to take.

For now, the task to guide Watford forward has been put on ex-Premier League left-back Charlie Daniels, who is being assisted by ex-Hornets playing duo Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa, who racked up a combined 376 appearances between them for the Hertfordshire outfit.

Daniels though looks to be taking the leading role, having stepped up from his under-21's manager role to the first-team on a temporary basis, although for how long is anyone's guess.

Gino Pozzo has showed over the years that he's full of surprises, meaning an appointment could come tomorrow or after the end of the season, but Daniels has revealed he'd be happy to take the job if he was given it on a permanent basis.

"I think any manager [would take this role]," Daniels said, per the BBC.

"The players are very, very good for this level.

"I've really enjoyed [being in charge of the team]. This is what I want to do and where I feel my career is going.

"It's really good for me to get this opportunity and I'm very grateful. I'm going to enjoy every moment of it."

Watford FC manager situation labelled a 'circus' after Gracia resignation

Watford fans have seen so many managers come and go from Vicarage Road since the Pozzo Family took charge in the summer of 2012 - there have been no fewer than 23 head coach departures under their ownership, starting with Sean Dyche and the most recent one being Gracia.

FLW's Watford fan pundit Justin Beattie has become accustomed to not getting too attached to any manager that takes the hot-seat in Hertfordshire, and has criticised the ownership for how they continuously go through managers - perhaps putting the blame on them for Gracia deciding to resign.

"When it comes to the next manager to take charge of Watford, it's impossible to say what kind of manager it should be or who it should be," Justin told FLW.

"Because if you look at who we've had in the last five years, we've had a club legend in Tom Cleverley, we've had an ex-England international in Roy Hodgson, a Premier League winner in Claudio Ranieri, an experienced English coach in Chris Wilder, and a returning manager in Javi Gracia.

"What could possibly be next? It's impossible to say. So, I don't think it really matters who comes in as the next Watford manager - whilst we still have these owners, this circus is going to continue, because it seems to be their way of doing things.

"I couldn't even give you a name as to who should come in next and take charge of the Hornets, because whoever it is will be the fall guy for everything, regardless of their previous experience and trophies."