Watford head coach Javi Gracia will be present on the touchline for his side’s forthcoming Championship clash with Stoke City at Vicarage Road this weekend, after the Football Association decided to issue a financial punishment rather than enforce a ban from the dugout following his recent dismissal.
The Spaniard, aged 55, was sent off in the closing stages of Watford’s dramatic 2-2 draw away at Wrexham on December 13, after vehemently disputing an officiating decision he felt ignored a clear foul on his players in the build-up to the hosts’ late equaliser. Gracia’s frustration escalated following Ollie Rathbone’s 92nd-minute goal that salvaged a point for Wrexham, leading the referee to show a straight red card for what was deemed persistent dissent and unacceptable conduct.
The incident capped off a challenging afternoon for the Hornets, who showed resilience by twice coming from behind thanks to first-half goals from Mamadou Doumbia and Othmane Maamma, only to see victory snatched away deep into stoppage time. Assistant head coach Zigor Aranalde later described the failure to award a foul on striker Vivaldo Semedo as both “shocking” and “embarrassing,” claiming it cost Watford a fully deserved three points. Even Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson admitted after the match that Gracia’s dismissal felt “harsh,” praising the Watford boss for showing genuine “passion and emotion” on the sidelines.
There had been fears Gracia could face a significant suspension, which would have forced him to watch the pre-Christmas home encounter with promotion-chasing Stoke City from the stands. Instead, the FA’s disciplinary panel ruled that a £2,000 fine was sufficient punishment, clearing the way for the experienced coach to lead his team from the technical area.
Speaking ahead of the Stoke match, Gracia expressed relief at the outcome while maintaining his stance on the incident. “I will be on the bench,” he said. “I have to pay a fine, but that’s fine. I’ll be exactly where I want and need to be. This is what I expected, because I don’t feel I did anything that deserved a red card. I was always prepared to be there – it’s no surprise.”
Since beginning his second spell at Vicarage Road in October following the departure of Paulo Pezzolano, Gracia has restored a sense of balance and calm to the club. Watford have lost just three league matches under his stewardship, though an accumulation of eight draws this season has left them hovering in mid-table, sitting around 13th with 29 points from 21 games.
The trip to Wrexham highlighted both the positives and the lingering issues within Gracia’s side. Watford fell behind early to Josh Windass’ strike in the 21st minute but responded well, with Doumbia equalising on the half-hour mark before Maamma produced a composed finish just before half-time to put the visitors ahead. The Hornets controlled long spells of the contest, particularly after the interval, as midfielder Hector Kyprianou impressed by dictating tempo and creating chances.
Yet familiar problems in defence and game management remain unresolved. In stoppage time, Watford failed to deal with a set-piece, allowing substitute Rathbone to volley home the equaliser. The chaotic finale saw six Watford players booked in addition to Gracia’s sending-off, highlighting lapses in composure at key moments.
Despite the frustration, Gracia struck an upbeat tone in his post-match assessment. “We controlled large parts of the game, spent more time in their half, and created the better chances,” he said. “The players showed strong character to respond after conceding early. At the end, we defended deeper than we wanted, but the feeling within the group is positive. I disagreed with some decisions, but that’s football.”
Many supporters have welcomed Gracia’s return, remembering fondly his first spell between 2018 and 2019, when he guided Watford to an FA Cup final and an 11th-place Premier League finish – the club’s joint-best top-flight achievement. His calm leadership and experience are seen as ideal for nurturing a talented young core that includes Maamma, Doumbia, and Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Saturday’s opponents Stoke City arrive in strong form, sitting seventh with 33 points and owning one of the Championship’s tightest defences, having conceded just 20 goals in 21 matches. The Potters are unbeaten in their last four away games and will be confident against a Watford side that has managed only one clean sheet all season.
Nonetheless, Gracia will aim to harness the lift of avoiding a suspension as he seeks an important home victory. Vicarage Road has been a difficult place for visiting teams this season, with Watford beaten there only twice. A positive result could move them closer to the play-off conversation as the festive period approaches.
While the fine represents a small monetary penalty, the greater loss would have been Gracia’s absence from the sidelines. Instead, the veteran coach will be present to offer instructions and guidance, hoping to convert Watford’s growing resilience into wins and spark upward momentum.
In a relentlessly competitive Championship, every fixture carries weight. Watford’s inability to turn draws into victories has been a key stumbling block, but Gracia’s presence on the touchline provides stability that could prove decisive against Stoke.
Fans are hopeful the episode will serve as motivation rather than distraction. Gracia has thrived under pressure at Vicarage Road before, and in this renewed chapter, he has a chance to add another memorable passage to his Watford story.