Opinion It’s already obvious Watford will achieve Championship play-off place in 2025/26, they mean business.
The resumption of Championship football may be months away, but there are early signs of confidence for Watford in the forthcoming second-tier season.
Next season’s Championship is expected to be one of the most competitive second-tier seasons to history. The two Hollywood-backed promoted teams are aiming for successive promotions. With Wrexham making history last season and Birmingham City aiming to shatter another, the duo bring resources and quality from League One. Playoff failures Sheffield United, Coventry City, and Bristol City will all want to improve next season after Sunderland achieved Premier League promotion through the play-offs. Along with that trio, several more second-tier teams will be vying for a top-six spot next season, and we believe Watford are the early favourites to achieve so.
Watford means business during the summer transfer window.
The Hornets’ business has been booming since the end of the 24/25 season in May. The firing of head coach Tom Cleverley was controversial, but the Watford hierarchy moved quickly to replace him with Paulo Pezzolano. Following his appointment last month, Watford’s Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani told 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 achieved success at almost every team, winning league titles and promotions.
“We believe Paulo is the leader we need as we regroup for the upcoming season. He is completely aware of our aspirations and resolve to pursue promotion and supports them.” In an early show of faith in the Uruguayan boss, the Hornets have added some talent to their ranks, with Hector Kyprianou, their first summer acquisition, moving up from League One after his contract with Peterborough United expired. Watford fans are optimistic about Kyprianou, and rightfully so, after the 24-year-old’s outstanding season at the heart of the Posh’s midfield. Watford have recently signed Nathan Baxter from Bolton Wanderers, who previously played for Chelsea, on a two-year contract.
With the addition of two quality newcomers, and more on the way as the summer transfer window continues, there is a growing air of hope at Vicarage Road, which will alleviate supporters’ anxieties over Pezzolano. The Championship is a notoriously difficult league to gain promotion from, but Watford are demonstrating that they mean business this summer and are determined to get into the top six.
Watford poised to do better in 2025/26 under Paulo Pezzolano
Watford have not finished in the top half of the table in recent seasons, despite their management merry-go-round, since the promotion-winning season of 2021/21. The Hornets finished 14th this season, one higher than in 23/24, but they never threatened the top end, let alone the promotion pack. On paper, Watford’s team that Pezzolano has inherited is significantly superior to their performance last season, with seasoned pros such as Moussa Sissoko and star attacking outlets like as Giorgi Chakvetadze.
| Paulo Pezzolano’s managerial record |
| Games in charge – 312 |
| Wins – 134 |
| Draws – 84 |
| Losses – 94 |
| Win rate – 43% |
Pezzolano, a successful head coach, has led Torque to a title in 2017, Cruzeiro to promotion in 2022, and Valladolid back to the Spanish top tier in 2024. Nani, the club’s Sporting Director, expressed his enthusiasm for Pezzolano’s appointment, stating, “We hope our fans welcome Paulo and wish him every success as we try to
If their bright start to the summer continues with additional quality reinforcements, Watford will be looking to finish in the play-offs for the first time since 2013.
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