Paulo Pezzolano: Formation, style of play, previous clubs & more

Following the sacking of former England international Tom Cleverley, Watford have appointed Uruguayan manager Paulo Pezzolano.

Notoriously known for the quickfire sacking of managers, Pezzolano will hope to change this narrative, as the 2025/26 campaign will see Watford head into their fourth consecutive term in the Championship.

We take a look at Paulo Pezzolano's credentials, including his formation, style of play, previous clubs and more.

Background

Previous clubs

Pezzolano's managerial career started at Uruguayan side Torque, where he was announced as the manager immediately after retiring at the club.

He left the club on 25th November 2017, and was handed the Liverpool Montevideo job less than a month later on 18th December. He recorded a 41.56% win rate during his two-year spell at the club, before accepting a role as manager at Mexican club Pachuca in December 2019.

A mutual agreement was reached between Pachuca and Pezzolano in 2021 that the manager would leave the club after recording a 15th placed finish in the 2021/22 Liga MX campaign.

It wouldn't take long for the Uruguayan to find himself in a job once again, announced as new head coach of Brazilian Serie B side Cruzeiro, becoming their first head coach after the club's sale to former great Ronaldo.

Following the club's elimination from the Campeonato Mineiro in 2023, Pezzolano and the Brazilian side decided to part ways.

Pezzolano took his first job outside of South America in April 2023, landing the role as manager at Spanish outfit Real Valladolid, also owned by Ronaldo.

He would last over 18 months at the club, guiding the club back to La Liga, before Valladolid announced he would leave the club after a 5–0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Pezzolano has been deemed a promotion specialist having guided three of the four clubs he's managed into the tier above.

Honours

Torque:

• Uruguayan Segunda Division - 2017

Cruzeiro:

• Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B - 2022

Professional playing career

• Rentistas (2001-2006)
• Atletico Paranaense (2006)
• Defensor Sporting (2006-2007)
• Penarol (2008)
• Liverpool Montevideo (2008-2011)
• Mallorca (2009-2010 - loan)
• Zhejiang FC (2011-2012)
• Necaxa (2012)
• Liverpool Montevideo (2012-2016)
• Torque (2016)

Philosophy and style of play

From his time at Real Valladolid, Pezzolano appears to be a manager who employs a high-intensity and direct style of play.

Handed the opportunity to take Valladolid back to La Liga in the 2023/24 campaign, Pezzolano had a squad at his disposal that bettered the majority of teams in the Segunda Division. With that said, he didn't have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in the forward department, with Mamadou Sylla the club's top scorer that term with a relatively low tally of eight goals.

It may come as a surprise that despite earning promotion with a second placed finish, his side scored less than six teams in the league, finding the net 51 times in 42 games. This wasn't for a lack of trying, however.

His attacking philsophy and willingness to play on the front foot was demonstrated by the fact that his side averaged 55.5% possession that campaign, the third highest tally in the league. Not only did Valladolid see lots of the ball, but they were direct and proactive in possession too.

They amounted 578 shots in total that season, averaging approximately 13.7 per game. This ranked second in the league.

It's clear to see that Pezzolano encourages his side to dominate games, though his play style may rely on Watford introducing a striker who can reliably provide 20 goals per season.

Formation

The 42-year-old primarily opted for a 4-3-3 when in possession during his most recent spell at Valladolid, seemingly prioritising balance.

When in control of the ball, he tends to prefer one of his midfielders to cover the ground in front of the central defenders as a traditional number six, while he employs two box-to-box midfielders who are expected to occupy the half spaces.

His full-backs do tend to be more reserved, but are not restricted from providing support for the wingers, who primarily hold the width on either side.

A direct and fluid 4-3-3 in possession turns to a more disciplined 4-1-4-1 when out of possession. His wingers often drop deeper to form a flat four across the middle, while the number six maintains his position in front of the back four.

This denies the opposition from creating an overflow on either side, while also meaning the distances between his players are shorter should they win the ball back, encouraging faster transitions.

His starting XI at Watford will be fully determined by outgoings and incomings this summer, though the club will surely be keen to add Vakoun Issouf Bayo permanently.

Potential Watford starting XI under Paulo Pezzolano (4-3-3): Selvik; Andrews, Pollock, Sierralta, Larouci; Kayembe, Louza, Chakvetadze; Vata, Bayo, Baah.