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Watford cheekily give fans a good ‘scare’ after issuing a statement on Valerien Ismael

Watford cheekily give fans a good ‘scare’ after issuing a statement on Valerien Ismael, announcing he’s staying on and not being sacked.

Yes, it’s true, the Hornets have actually gone and done something we never thought we’d see again, having been known for previously getting rid of managers after brief spells in charge.

Despite reports last week suggesting Watford were considering extending Ismael’s stay at the club, fans were still full prepared, holding their breath upon opening the club statement on Tuesday morning, with their heart no doubt skipping a beat or two.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Head Coach Valérien Ismaël has signed an extended contract with Watford FC, the club is pleased to confirm.

While the deal’s details remain broadly the same, the Hornets have moved to lock in the services of the former France youth international for a longer period of time.

“The Owner, the Board and all of the senior management team have enjoyed getting to know and understanding Valérien and his methods,” said Sporting Director Cristiano Giaretta.

“It’s true we haven’t achieved the points we would like yet, but it’s the work and the progress we can see that gives us great confidence.”

He added: “It’s like others have said this season; you can feel and sense that we are changing here and there is a positive atmosphere everywhere.

“We have told the first-team players and staff who have reacted positively, so now we all must focus on our work – the match at Sunderland tomorrow night.”

Back in August, Valerien Ismael spoke on how he wasn’t feeling under extra pressure to succeed despite the club’s record of sacking his predecessors, having had three different people in charge in both of the last two seasons.

Ismael is their 10th head coach since 2018, so this news of an extending if quite the rare one by Watford’s standards.

“I have no more pressure than normal. Last season, everywhere around the world in the big leagues, they change a lot [of] the managers,” he said.

“I think the pressure is not only on Watford, but everywhere. I am still confident here, I am exactly where I want to be and the work with the board, with the squad, with the people who run the club is excellent so far.”

Watford were relegated from the Premier League in 2022 and finished 11th last term, but started the new Championship campaign without two of their best players, Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr, who have both left the club.

“We are satisfied with our squad, all the players outgoing was a clear decision from us with the board,” said Ismael, who was appointed at the end of May.

“We knew we needed to change a lot but we still have good quality in the squad and the pre-season was good. The players have improved, week in, week out and now everyone feels we are ready to compete.”

Ismael previously took Barnsley to the Championship playoffs in 2021, but his subsequent spell in charge at West Brom was a short one.

“If you see my statistics at West Brom, it was not that bad,” he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

“From my point of view, it was a good job [I did] because you see what happened after I left and now it’s all about being focused with Watford, to make sure that we start well and continue to improve.

“It’s a long run, the Championship, but we are all on the same page, from the board to the players. Everyone was willing to change and the board gave me the feeling that I am the right manager for the club and that this club is the right one for me.”

So how is Ismael getting since those comments? Well, Watford currently sit 20th in the Championship table with 9 points from 9 games and one point above the drop zone.

They also got knocked out of the Carabao Cup First Round, losing on penalties to League One side Stevenage.

Here’s how fans reacted as Watford cheekily give fans a good ‘scare’ after issuing a statement on Valerien Ismael…

@GenerallyBall: WHY DID YOU NAME IT LIKE THAT

@swedishhornets: Worried for a second but glad it wasn’t a sacking. Not sure why an extension is needed, especially after a short time. But the team looks better in terms of working for each other & I see a system that he’s trying to build. Better to back him with players in January 🙏

@JackWFC1234: Don’t do that ever ever again. My heart

@HellholeIsland: That’s not the announcement I was expecting.

@AllEnglandFlags: A new deal sitting in 20th. Some club Watford

@MrAziizz: So we are a point of relegation and we’ve extending his contract? You honestly can’t make it up, I guess being the ‘Yes Man’ to the owners has its benefits. If we get relegated this season, will the club just “freeze” the prices again or will there be an actual decrease?

@9_Hendo: Are Watford broken? An actual contract extension for a manager!?

@katelewers: Anyone else get the notification for this and die a little inside thinking we were going back to our old ways?! STOP PLAYING WITH MY EMOTIONS PLEASE I BEG YOU 🤣 #WatfordFC

@WFCHenry: We are the only club that makes backing a manager look like a sacking ffs

@Jackobrfc999: This is hilarious by the way 😂 counter the reputation that they just sack everybody by giving a new deal whilst they’re literally 20th and this sacking would be somewhat more understandable that previous

@SSE_LTFC: I’m just as surprised as you this isn’t another sacking. Give it another month I’d say 😂

@SemtexSports: The PANIC this caused me during a meeting. I had to knock my camera off and breathe into a paper bag. #WatfordFC

@StuieG77: Well nobody was expecting that

@RFC_97: A Watford club statement about a manager that isn’t a sacking… what kind of alternate universe are we living in 🤯🤯

@LewisT_Williams: I just want to make sure my eyes are working as they should did they say extension?

@jakemillmxn: Bastards gave me a jump scare the way they worded it 😭

@FanHubHatter: Huh? Are you broken? 😂😂😂

@LiamK2292: Another Watford manager sacked… Wait, contract extended and they’re 20th? What’s going on?

@Lewisryan28: Thought it was the sacking

@UncleRonSr: I don’t think he should be sacked but a new contract is completely unwarranted at this stage. Still this is the club that gave Bachmann a 5 year deal after he stunk the place out last season.

@Cameronsmart_: Don’t do that to me again my heart sank 😂😂😂😂

@Siljaman: I like this. I have faith in Val, players need to step up.

@LTFC_Dave: Edwards got sacked for having a better record 🤣🤣🤣

@BrettMendoza_: Things you NEVER thought you’d see in football 🤯

@_jakehorwood: Happy to stay patient for the time being now that we know Val’s position is secure, and hopefully this helps the players buy into him more too. But we need to see the “positive atmosphere” that Giaretta alludes to here translating into results sooner rather than later. #watfordfc

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