Latest news with #Pezzolano
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Millonarios confirm the signing of Jorge Hurtado from Watford
Millonarios FC have confirmed the signing of forward Jorge Hurtado from Watford. Hurtado has signed an initial season-long loan deal with the Colombian side, though it is understood an option to make the move permanent is included. More: Pezzolano on Leyton Orient, Mamadou Doumbia and that moment with the Watford fans Hurtado initially joined the Hornets in 2023 but made just one appearance for the first team, setting up Tom Dele-Bashiru's winner in the 2-1 victory over Chesterfield in the FA Cup third round in January 2024. The Colombian Under-20 international, signed from Real Cartagena, had already been loaned out to Independiente Medellin and New York Red Bulls ahead of his Hornets debut and continued to play most of his football away from Vicarage Road. More: Moussa Sissoko on his goalscoring form, Kwadwo Baah and Watford under Paulo Pezzolano A temporary switch to Gillingham followed for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign, where a promising start was curtailed by a knee injury that saw the deal cut short after three appearances. The 21-year-old was then moved onto PAOK last term, where he scored 11 goals and registered two assists in 20 appearances for the B team. Hurtado initially signed a six-year deal with the Hornets but that could well be cut short if his time at Millonarios proves successful.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Watford's new head coach, Paulo Pezzolano?
Hired by one of Brazil's greatest players of all time, two spells with a club called Liverpool and played in China for a season – new Watford head coach Paulo Pezzolano possesses a varied and quite colourful CV. As a coach he has two league titles in South America to his credit, as well as a promotion in Spain. – a loan spell on the pitch with Mallorca in 2010, and his most recent role as head coach of La Liga side Real Valladolid. The vast majority of his 243 senior career appearances as a player came at Liverpool Montevideo, the Uruguayan Primera Division club in Pezzolano's home town. He made 132 appearances and scored 41 goals for the club that took its name because of the links between Montevideo and Liverpool, not least that coal ships would arrive in the Uruguayan port having left from Merseyside. Pezzolano had two spells at Estadio Belvedere, initially between 2008 and 2011, and then returning for a second stint between 2012 and 2016. In between, he did a bit of travelling: 17 games on loan at Spanish side Mallorca, a season with Zhejiang, the Chinese side formerly known as Hangzhou Greentown, and then a dozen games for Club Necaxa in Mexico. Gilligan and Robinson depart Watford Training ground work impressed the board His playing career started in Uruguay's Segunda Division with Rentistas in 2001 as an 18-year-old, before a very brief stay in Brazil with Atletico Paranaense. Pezzolano was back in Montevideo after less than six months, signing for Defensor Sporting in 2006 and helping them finish third in the Primera Division and reach the quarter-finals of the 2007 Copa Libertadores. His next move was to one of Uruguay's biggest and most successful clubs, Penarol, but he played just 13 games before his first move to Liverpool Montevideo. When his second spell there ended in 2016, he joined Segunda Division side Torque, where he scored eight times in 21 appearances. It was upon his retirement, at the age of 33 in November 2016, that he became Torque's manager. He led Torque to the second division title before leaving in 2017 to return to the club where had spent most of his time as a player, Liverpool Montevideo. After two years there, he left and went to Mexico, taking over at Pachuca who he led to the 2021 play-offs in the Liga MX. He left by mutual consent in November 2021, and a couple of months later was appointed as head coach of Brazilian Serie B Cruzeiro, who were owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Under Pezzolano they reached the finals of the 2022 Campeonato Mineiro, and were promoted to Serie A. In April 2023, Pezzolano left Cruziero to take the manager's job at Spanish side Real Valladolid – also owned by Ronaldo. The La Liga side were in a bit of turmoil, with Ronaldo having sacked the club's sporting director and recruitment team on the eve of the season. Pezzolano couldn't save Valldolid from relegation when he was brought in, but Ronaldo stuck by him, and his loyalty was very much vindicated. The Uruguayan steered guided Valladolid back to La Liga at the end of the 23/24 season, finishing second in Segunda Division, only two points behind champions Leganes. Back in the top-flight, Pezzolano and Valladolid began the new season with a 1-0 success over Espanyol, but they didn't win again for eight games. In the middle of that sequence was a 7-0 thrashing at Barcelona – Raphina grabbing a hat-trick – prompting Pezzolano to say after the game: 'I want to apologise to the supporters and the city, they don't deserve it. We didn't compete today. It was pitiful. There's no other word, there are no excuses.' A 3-2 win away at Alaves in mid-October brought some respite, but Valladolid lost four of their next five and a 5-0 home trouncing by Atletico Madrid on November 30 brought Pezzolano's time at Estadio Jose Zorrilla to an end. The Uruguayan took charge of 16 league and cup games with Valladolid this season, winning three, drawing three and losing 10. They have not fared any better since he departed though, and are 15 points adrift at the foot of La Liga and will be relegated at the end of the season. In his time at Cruzeiro, he started by playing 4-2-2-2 but later switched to a 3-4-3/3-4-1-2 shape and largely stayed with that, earning a reputation for a brand of energetic and high-octane football. While in Spain with Valladolid, he tended to play 4-3-3, using the extra bodies in the centre of midfield positively with the aim of dominating the ball before picking off opponents as they tired. During his promotion season, Valladolid averaged the third-highest possession percentage of 55.6% in the Segunda Division.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Official: Paulo Pezzolano appointed as Watford's new head coach
Watford Football Club has unveiled Paulo Pezzolano as the new head coach in a major restructuring after the sacking of Tom Cleverley . The 42-year-old Uruguayan, who was in charge of Spanish club Real Valladolid, takes over with the hope of re-energising the Hornets' bid for promotion. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Paulo Pezzolano's appointment follows Cleverley's departure In March 2024, former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley was appointed interim manager of Watford, and was appointed to the position a month later. Despite hope at the beginning of the season, their team's results deteriorated, and only five wins all year led to a 1–1 draw at the home of Sheffield Wednesday on the last day of the season. It was the downturn that had Cleverley leaving, a decision which frustrated supporters who had applauded his commitment to their club. Pezzolano's tenure at Real Valladolid ended in November 2024 after the club was relegated to the Segunda División, finishing last in La Liga with just 17 points. But, despite the blow, Nani, the Watford sporting director, stated, "Paulo has a hugely impressive track record working with young players, which is essential when you look at the age profile of our squad". A new chapter for Watford under Paulo Pezzolano's leadership Paulo Pezzolano made his managerial debut in his country, Uruguay, on 20 March 2012, in Segunda División 3–1 win against JL Racing Club. He then became head coach of Liverpool Montevideo before moving on to coach abroad: Pachuca in Mexico, and later Cruzeiro in Brazil, winning promotion from Serie B with the latter. His wide-ranging experience in South American leagues is considered a big positive as he encounters the demands of the English Championship. Watford's appointment of Pezzolano is part of a strategy to bring fresh ideas and leadership to the club. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 68-year-old compared Pezzolano to the likes of Slavisa Jokanovic, Javi Gracia, and Xisco Munoz, and said he believes the head coach can also take the club to the 'next step' in their quest for Premier League football. ' We have confidence in Paulo as a leader as we prepare for the new season, ' Nani said. With Pezzolano at the helm, there is an emphasis on unity within the squad, forming a team with competitive ambitions at its core. His strong focus on youth and forward-thinking structure matches the club's vision moving forward to build a pacey, fit, and youthful squad capable of challenging for promotion. Also Read:
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watford appoint Uruguayan as their new head coach
Watford have appointed 42-year-old Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach. The former Real Valladolid boss was a name that only entered the reckoning in the last 24 hours, but by lunchtime he was the bookies' favourite – though that hasn't been the greatest guide given the way the market has chopped and changed in the last few days. Pezzolano becomes the first Uruguayan to manage the Hornets, and at 42 is only seven years older than the man he succeeds, Tom Cleverley. He will become only the second Uruguayan to have been part of the playing and coaching staff at Vicarage Road, following defender Miguel Britos who played for the club between 2015 and 2019. Pezzolano began his coaching career at Uruguayan second division side Torque, the club where he spent his final season as a player before retiring. He led Torque to the second division title before leaving in 2017 to join Liverpool Montevideo, another club he had played for. After two years there, he left and went to Mexico, taking over at Pachuca who he led to the 2021 play-offs in the Liga MX. He left by mutual consent in November 2021, and a couple of months later was appointed as head coach of Brazilian Serie B Cruzeiro. The 42-year-old steered them to promotion to Serie A but little over a year after joining he left and became head coach of Real Valladolid. The man he replaced there, Jose Rojo Martin (known as Pacheta), was linked with being the next Watford boss both in January and in the last few days. After suffering relegation in his first season in Spain, Pezzolano guided Valladolid back to La Liga at the end of the 23/24 season. However, after only two league wins and one cup victory from 15 games this term, he was sacked following a 5-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the end of November. Most of his playing career as an attacking midfielder was spent in South America, and the bulk of that was in Uruguary. However, he did spend a short spell on loan with Spanish side Mallorca and also spent a season with Hangzhou Greentown in China. Understood to be a coach who adopts a high-intensity pressing style, Pezzolano likes possession football but his priority is efficiency. He has also become known for his willingness to progress players through the ranks at the clubs he has worked at, and gives youth a chance. That is a quality that may well have drawn Watford owner Gino Pozzo to him, as he seeks to turn the club back into promotion contenders after three seasons of mid-table mediocrity in the Championship.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Watford appoint little-known Uruguayan, 42, as new manager after controversial Tom Cleverley axe
Championship club hail his 'innovative ideas' and 'impressive record with young players'. HORNETS SWOOP Watford appoint little-known Uruguayan, 42, as new manager after controversial Tom Cleverley axe WATFORD have named a little-known Uruguayan as their new manager. Former Real Valladolid boss Paulo Pezzolano, 42 comes in just a week after the mid-table Championship side sacked Tom Cleverley. 3 Paulo Pezzolano arrives after being sacked by Real Valladolid in November Credit: Getty 3 Watford sacked Tom Cleverley after 19 months in charge Credit: PA Incredibly, Pezzolano is the Hornets' 22nd boss since Gino Pozzo took over the club in 2012. Cleverley's axing angered many Hornets fans after he arrived as interim chief in March 2024 and landed the permanent job a month later. But the ex-Manchester United midfielder paid the price for Watford slipping out of play-off contention in the second half of this season. The Hornets picked up just five wins in 2025. And Cleverley departed after Watford finished the campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday. However, appointing Pezzolano appears something of a gamble. His only previous managerial job in Europe was his last one. He was in charge of LaLiga team Real Valladolid from April 2023 until his sacking in November last year. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Valladolid went on to finish bottom with just 17 points this season, meaning relegation. Before that spell, Pezzolano bossed Brazilians Cruzeiro, following stints managing Mexican team Pachuca and home-country clubs Liverpool Montevideo and Montevideo City Torque. 3 Pezzolano has landed his second managerial post in Europe Credit: Getty Watford's sporting director Gian Luca Nani said in a statement: '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, 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." Nani added: 'The club achieved great success when making similar appointments in Slavisa Jokanovic, Javi Gracia and Xisco Munoz. "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.'
