Despite the 2025/26 Championship season being months away, early indicators suggest a strong sense of optimism and intent from Watford regarding their promotion aspirations.
The upcoming Championship campaign is widely anticipated to be highly competitive, with newly promoted clubs like Wrexham and Birmingham City, backed by significant resources, aiming for consecutive promotions. Additionally, play-off contenders from the previous season, including Sheffield United, Coventry City, and Bristol City, will also be vying for a top-six finish.
Watford is positioned as an early contender for a play-off spot, demonstrating notable activity in the summer transfer window. The club swiftly appointed Paulo Pezzolano as head coach following the “controversial” sacking of Tom Cleverley.
Upon Pezzolano’s appointment last month, Watford’s Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani stated on WatfordFC.com: “Paulo has a hugely impressive track record working with young players, which is essential when you look at the age profile of our squad. He has had success at virtually every club, including league titles and promotions. 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.”
In an early display of support for the new manager, Watford has already made key signings. Hector Kyprianou joined on a free transfer from League One side Peterborough United following his contract expiry. Fans reportedly have confidence in Kyprianou after his strong performances in midfield for Peterborough. Additionally, Nathan Baxter, formerly of Chelsea, has joined from Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal. These acquisitions, with more expected throughout the summer, are contributing to a growing sense of optimism at Vicarage Road, which may alleviate some prior “concerns among supporters about Pezzolano.”
The Championship is recognized as a challenging league for promotion, but Watford’s proactive approach this summer suggests a clear intention to secure a top-six finish.
In recent seasons, Watford has not finished in the top half of the Championship table since their promotion-winning campaign in 2020/21, concluding last season in 14th place. The current squad inherited by Pezzolano is considered to have more talent on paper than their previous season’s performance indicated, featuring experienced players like Moussa Sissoko and attacking talents such as Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Paulo Pezzolano’s managerial record includes:
- Games in charge: 312
- Wins: 134
- Draws: 84
- Losses: 94
- Win rate: 43%
Pezzolano has a history of achieving promotions in various leagues as a head coach, including a title victory with Torque in 2017, leading Cruzeiro to promotion in 2022, and securing promotion with Valladolid back to the Spanish top tier in 2024.
Sporting Director Nani further remarked, “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.”
The challenge for Pezzolano and the Watford squad has been set. With an early sense of optimism driven by the appointment of a manager specializing in promotions and initial positive transfer activity, Watford aims to secure a play-off spot for the first time since 2013, provided they continue to reinforce their squad with quality additions throughout the summer.
