Watford head coach Javi Gracia has resigned after just over three months in the job following their 2-0 defeat by Swansea City.
Gracia, who only returned for a second spell at Vicarage Road in October, called for a meeting with club owner Gino Pozzo following Saturday’s loss, saying the team were in a “very difficult moment”.
“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,” a club statement said., external
“We respect his decision and accept his wish to leave Vicarage Road with immediate effect.”
Gracia departs with Watford in 10th place in the Championship, four points adrift of the top six and with an away trip to third placed Hull City on Tuesday.
Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa are set to take over the reins for the trip to face the Tigers.
