JAVI GRACIA has quit as Watford manager less than four months into his second stint at Vicarage Road.
The Spaniard, 55, called a meeting with the Hornets board after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Swansea.
And he decided to call time on a brief spell back at his former stomping ground, leaving Watford four points off the play-offs with a game in hand, and walking away without a pay-off.
Youth team coaches Charlie Daniels, Adrian Mariappa and Dan Gosling are set to take the Hull game on Tuesday night.
Part of Watford’s statement read: “The club is sad and disappointed to confirm the resignation of Javi Gracia as head coach.
“We retain the belief Javi was the right man to lead the club towards its push for promotion, but Javi felt he no longer had the motivation and was not the right man to continue coaching this exciting group of young players.
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“We respect his decision and accept his wish to leave Vicarage Road with immediate effect.”
Gracia’s predecessor, Paulo Pezzolano, only lasted 10 games before his trigger-happy bosses swung the axe.
Gracia, who managed Watford to a mid-table Premier League finish and an FA Cup final during his first spell, got off to a flyer after returning to the club in early October.
The Hornets lost only three of their first 16 games with Gracia at the helm, putting them firmly in play-off contention.
But results have faltered in recent weeks, with Saturday’s loss making it five straight games without a win in all competitions.
Gracia hinted at discontent after the final whistle, telling the BBC: “We are in a very difficult moment.
“I knew before the game [that] this could happen. Some players are injured, some players are gone, some players are coming, some players are playing with discomfort.
“The last results speak about the team now.”
Gracia also called for a sit-down with Watford owner Gino Pozzo and alluded to a lack of ambition in the transfer window.
He added: “I want to speak with the owner and to know how they feel because I’m really disappointed with the level of the team, the situation of the team and maybe the future of the team as well.
“The energy, the atmosphere in the team now, we are not as optimistic as we were.”
Manchester City teenager Stephen Mfuni and the not-yet-fit Eduardo Bove are the only signings Watford have made this winter, while important defender Max Alleyne was recalled to the Etihad.
Gracia’s exit means Watford are now set to appoint their 13th permanent manager since the start of 2020, and their 23rd boss in the last 13 years.
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