Paulo Pezzolano, who is Watford’s newest head coach, and their 12th since 2019, speaks in his first interview.
The Hornets have appointed the 42-year-old Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano, as replacement for the sacked Tom Cleverley, a decision which got backlash from fans.
who is known for his success in securing promotions in Spain, Brazil, and Uruguay, Pezzolano has a strong track record of developing young players and establishing a distinct playing style.
Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani highlighted Pezzolano’s innovative methods and passion, noting his fit with the club’s young squad and their ambition to return to the Premier League.
Watford FC are thrilled to announce Paulo Pezzolano as our new Head Coach.
Welcome to Watford, Paulo!
pic.twitter.com/mfteC9JuJY
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 13, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Watford FC are thrilled to announce Paulo Pezzolano as our new Head Coach.
The Uruguayan, 42, has carved out a reputation as a promotion specialist, having reached the top divisions in Spain, Brazil and Uruguay, and has a rich pedigree of working with young players and establishing a clear playing identity.
“Paulo has a hugely impressive track record working with young players, which is essential when you look at the age profile of our squad,” said Hornets Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani.
“He has had success at virtually every club, including league titles and promotions, but it is his work on the training ground that impressed the most when we undertook our research.
“He has innovative ideas and processes which he transmits passionately to the players. We believe Paulo is the leader we need as we refocus ahead of the new season. He is fully aware of our ambitions and determination to push for promotion and embraces that challenge.
“The club achieved great success when making similar appointments in Slaviša Jokanović, Javi Gracia and Xisco Muñoz, and we hope our fans welcome Paulo and wish him every success as we try to achieve the owner’s clear aim of challenging for a return to the Premier League.”
Watford have named Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach. The Uruguayan becomes the 21st permanent manager in thirteen years of the Pozzo ownership. pic.twitter.com/9hzNkJoNn5
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 14, 2025
Following a career as a goalscoring attacking midfielder in Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and China, Pezzolano began his managerial pathway at Uruguay’s Torque City, where he won promotion and clinched the title.
He later took charge of Liverpool FC (Uruguay), reshaping the club’s identity and leading them to their first major trophy. His work caught the attention of Mexico’s Pachuca, where he refined his playing model before accepting a greater challenge in Brazil.
At Cruzeiro, he ushered in the era under new ownership, led by Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Pezzolano secured promotion to Série A, winning the Série B title by 13 points.
His success opened the door to Spain, where he took over at Real Valladolid, rebuilding a squad in the Segunda División and earning promotion to La Liga in 2024.
Paulo Pezzolano can’t wait to get to work as the new Watford Head Coach after speaking of his “privilege” to join the club.
The Uruguayan was announced as the new man in the Hornets dugout yesterday and arrives with an impressive CV which already includes a trio of promotions.
“It’s a great honour,” he said to watfordfc.com on his appointment. “I know what this club stands for – its history, its people.
“It’s a big responsibility and a challenge that truly motivates me. I arrive full of energy and eager to work, to build a competitive team that embodies Watford’s values.”
Pezzolano has taken teams in Uruguay, Brazil and Spain up to the top division; winning promotions with Torque City, Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid respectively.
He has already identified his first challenge for approaching the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season.
“The first goal is to build a clear identity – a style of play that everyone recognises,” he said.
“Then, to compete fully in every match, with consistency and ambition. Of course, we want to be as high up as possible. The objective is clear, but the way to reach it is through daily hard work.”
This will be Pezzolano’s first experience of managing in England and it is a challenge he is relishing.
“It’s a privilege,” he said about the chance to work in the Championship. “Football is lived here with unique intensity – full stadiums, a rich football culture.
“For any coach, working in England is a dream. I approach it with humility but also great determination.
“England is the cradle of football, the place where it all began. As both a player and a coach, I’ve always seen English football as a benchmark – for its intensity, passion and respect for the game.
“Now, I get the chance to experience it from within, and that fills me with excitement. As for Watford, I’ll always remember that iconic match against Leicester City – the penalty save followed by the goal that sealed their place in the next round.”
When asked what Watford fans could expect from his style of play, Pezzolano said that his brand of football is “intense, vertical and aggressive”.
“I like my teams to press high, win the ball back quickly and attack with purpose,” he said.
“But always with order, balance, and courage.”
The former attacking midfielder said his message to the fans would be he wants to let the football do the talking.
“I prefer not to say too much – I’d rather show it on the pitch!” he added. “But I can promise we’ll give everything in every match.
“The fans will see a team they can identify with – one that fights, competes and plays with identity.
“We need our people. We need belief. With them, we’ll be stronger.”
Fans react as Watford’s newest head coach, their 12th since 2019, is due to speak in his first interview…
@KaiStev93778485: Support him, not his fault our owners are shit
@jigga_11: Nothing against this guy at all, it’s not his fault, but he’s not Tom Cleverley & that’s the problem for me. Almost no interest in him because I doubt he’ll be given the multitude of players, time & support required & therefore he’ll be gone before we know it. Pozzo is the issue
@BeGriffis: He’s managed in the 2nd tier 3 seasons with 3 different clubs in 3 different countries and earned promotion in all 3
@azatampswfc: A one year deal to achieve promotion with our current squad. There’s lofty ambitions and then there’s this. I love to achieve it, but the recent goings on leave me concerned for this season. Gauging a squad so far from where they are can be catastrophic, look at our rivals….
@muggins_77: Welcome to another coach that won’t be backed, supported and will be gone, by the time the clocks go back! Pozzo you are f*cking tool, sod off and take your cling ons with you. #watfordfc
@HJClarke95: Good luck Paulo, you’re going to need it. Any negative chants may indirectly involve your name but will be directed towards the owner. We’re behind you as a Head Coach to bring us success, we’re not behind the owner.
@SocialEngland66: 1 year deal, so it’s promotion or bust this season, go up, he gets what he wants and can sell. Don’t go up or relegation, he has no other option but to sell.
@christiansca77: I’m a Cruzeiro fan, a club that Paulo promoted to in 2022. He did an excellent job here, rekindling the fans’ pride. An active, vibrant coach. I don’t know what happened in Valladolid, because their team is also very bad.
@fittall1987: Oh look another manager at Watford. Is there any point with these appointments anymore? Might as well just play rush manager/manager wag each game and save the wages/pay offs. Nearest to the dugout makes the subs 
@samelvery41: Seen similarities in his style of play to De Zerbi. But if we don’t back him and sign some decent players he’s going to fail like the rest. I will back him all the way 
@wfccaity: Do not care whatsoever. Unfortunately will have been set up the fail and probably sacked by Christmas. Pozzo out.
“Cleverley had such support this guy’s got to get off to a good start to show everybody what his ideas are, what his philosophy is”@GeoffDoyle1 on new #WatfordFC head coach Paulo Pezzolano.https://t.co/koUkFXyDmf pic.twitter.com/umIaj09iOs
— BBC Sport Three Counties (@BBCSport3CR) May 14, 2025
Welcome aboard son, get yourself a couple of strikers, a couple of centre mids, a ten, a winger, a centre back and possibly a versatile defender and we then may have a shout at the play offs, bosh…Good Luck!
pic.twitter.com/9nM5XrNgYy
— LeeJ (@LeeJackson_1) May 13, 2025
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