Watford appoint promotion specialist Pezzolano as head coach

Watford have appointed Uruguayan coach Paulo Pezzolano as their 12th head coach since 2020, with the aim of mounting another promotion push in the Championship next season.

Pezzolano, 42, has signed a 12-month contract and is expected to be given significant resources to upgrade the squad.

With a proven track record of taking three clubs up from the second tier in Brazil, Uruguay, and Spain, Pezzolano's appointment is seen as a major coup for Watford.

The coach has an impressive overall win percentage of 43% across 312 games managed, including successful stints at Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid, both owned by former World Cup winner Ronaldo.

Watford owner Gino Pozzo hopes Pezzolano can restore the club's fortunes after the sacking of popular interim boss Tom Cleverley last week.

With major squad upgrades expected, Pezzolano's task will be to reassert Watford as a force at the top end of the Championship and push for promotion to the Premier League.