Watford sack their manager Valerien Ismael after picking up just one win in 10 league matches and appoint Tom Cleverley as Interim Head Coach.
He had been coaching the under-18 team since retiring from professional football last year, but now takes reigns with the club currently sitting 13th in the Championship table.
Ismael, who previously managed Barnsley and West Brom, took charge of Watford in May 2003, but his departure marks the club’s search for their 11th permanent head coach since 2018 and 8th since the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
Various managers to have led the team since Sean Dyche’s departure in 2012, include Gianfranco Zola, Giuseppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia, Billy McKinlay, Slavisa Jokanovic, Quique Sanchez Flores, Walter Mazzarri, Marco Silva, Javi Gracia, Nigel Pearson, Vladimir Ivic, Xisco Munoz, Claudio Ranieri, Roy Hodgson, Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic, and Chris Wilder.
Ismael, who guided Barnsley to the Championship playoffs in 2021, also was briefly at West Brom before joining Watford.
The team’s recent form has seen them pick up three consecutive losses with six defeats coming in their last eight matches. Their only win in the previous 10 games came against bottom-placed Rotherham.
Tom Cleverley will assume the position of Interim Head Coach at Vicarage Road.
This follows Watford FC terminating the contract of Valérien Ismaël after today’s home defeat to Coventry City.
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) March 9, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Tom Cleverley will assume the position of Interim Head Coach at Vicarage Road.
This follows Watford FC terminating the contract of Valérien Ismaël after today’s home defeat to Coventry City.
The Hornets thank Valérien and his staff for their dedication and commitment, however the club’s Board considers it an appropriate time to make a change in order to improve results.
Tom Cleverley’s staff will be confirmed in due course.
Valerien Ismael spoke to the media after Watford’s 2-1 defeat at home to Coventry City in the Sky Bet Championship.
On the strong start:
This is the main message for the game. Finally, we start strong, and I think it showed that we continued on from the second half against Swansea. We took some decisions to have a mobile midfield which was really good again today.
It was a great performance and a great start. We should have scored a second goal and against the flow of the game, from nowhere, they got the penalty and got back in the game. Nonetheless, we continued to push but one shot on target for them goes in and then we are running after the result.
On the result:
It’s a real pity today but we have seen a good performance from our players. Good energy on the pitch, good dynamic. We tried to change the way things are going. When we go to shoot, we always took the extra touch, crosses went too high or low or blocked. We shot a lot on target today, so our game was back and now it’s just the lack of confidence to play freely.
I think we were really good and didn’t see anything from Coventry today. It was just a day like that where everything runs against you.
On the supporters:
I said yesterday that our fans are always a good feeling for us. If we have the crowd behind us, then we know we are doing the right thing. From minute one you feel it, we score a goal, and they are behind us.
On the penalty:
We cleared the ball too short. When we are in that situation, we had to put the ball in the channel, then the second wave came. We had to clear the ball further.
On Giorgi Chakvetadze’s injury:
This is another thing with the referee. He got hit from the side and he apologised and said he didn’t see it.
It is very painful, but he can walk. The job of the ref is to protect the players and he said that he should have received a yellow card.
This one is really painful as it happened multiple times in the first half, with one on Yáser [Asprilla] that he played advantage, but in the Premier League it could be a red card.
Another foul on Martins is the same. The referee needs to do better at protecting players in general. To do that, the player gets away with nothing and then for us to lose a player, it’s very difficult to take. We need to have an assessment. Hopefully it’s just a bruise on his foot but we need to see.
Wesley Hoedt got the 10th yellow card today as well so it’s tough and a pity for him.
On the week just gone:
Not enough points. Disappointed that the boys didn’t get the reward they deserved. We can analyse the performance, but a point is not enough. We are not winning at home, so it is difficult to explain everything. I need to watch the game back and make sure we can become more stable, especially after taking the lead.
We need to win games. This is the main thing at the minute. It doesn’t change anything at the minute as we need to win the next game and prepare for the next game. This is always the next challenge. We have to prepare for the next battle and finally get the reward we need and the relief we need.
As expected Twitter exploded in reaction as Watford sack their manager and appoint Tom Cleverley as Interim Head Coach…
@brodown64: welcome back corner flag i missed you
@NicktheHornet: Ismael should have gone weeks ago. Ironic we get rid of him after a fairly decent performance today. Now time for Pozzo and Duxberry to be shown the door as well! #watfordfc #PozzoOut
@WILLMANAGGS: Sorry it didn’t work VI but the form speaks for itself the subs were self destructive andrews being dropped for so long was a killer, the losses from leading positions and the first lot of attacking football was today and that didn’t last long good luck in the future #WatfordFC
@JackWFC1234: It had to happen. We were in free for all, I’m fed up of this club and this constant turnover but this had to happen and even Val’s most ardent of supporters (me) had to realise that. Hope Cleverley gets a few games and we actually take our time to consider someone. #WatfordFC
@LukeCarey1881: Ismael wasn’t the problem, once again it is the quality that lets us down, the board is the real problem. I’m getting sick of this same cycle with this bloody football club. #WatfordFC
@WFCPaulH: As much as Val needed to go, interim appointment of TC goes to show the owner & his yes men are out of ideas. Winged it all the way. Had some great times. Had some lows but they’re done. It’s rotten. Long spell in the wilderness beckons unless there’s genuine change. #WatfordFC
@penhalluk: A couple of weekends ago i was completely against it but 4 more poor performances (minus 30 minutes today) where we have been dreadful has meant that reluctantly i think its probably the right decision. The relegation zone is closer than i thought so hope it works. #watfordfc
@WFCAidan: No home league wins since November and just two league wins in 2024. Whilst you can argue Val changed the culture etc, it was clear change was needed. However Clevs short term fills me with absolutely no confidence. The clubs on its arse, we’re a joke. Cheers Gino. #watfordfc
@DanHarvey74: A shame and probably 3 games too late but had to happen, will always look back fondly on our late autumn/pre Xmas unbeaten run (bar the Leicester & Ipswich defeats) and of course our FA Cup run. Go well Val!
@mun_ure59904: Is what it is, life goes on, it will probably never change and ladies and gentlemen you are witnessing the slow and permanent decline of #WatfordFC
@jakemillmxn: Such a PR move by appointing Cleverley just to please the fans 🤣 Had enough. #PozzoOut
@jake_wd: As much as val deserved to go he should of been backed more but with this rotten ownership not surprised nothing will change until they leave #watfordfc
@MattSaysThings: Well I knew he was gonna go but to give it to Cleverley poor bloke deserves much better than this mess. He should have said no. What a club what a mess. No plan, no structure, no relationship with fans. It’s grim. #watfordfc
@_jakehorwood: Poor statement, probably scribbled together after ITV burst their bubble just now. Interim, fine, but until when? Are we looking at a replacement or not? It doesn’t hurt to specify these things – but perhaps even the Board themselves don’t know! #watfordfc
@jordi_waks: Can’t think of a better realistic replacement. Yes he is inexperienced, but this is his opportunity to show what he’s made of. Someone who was with us in the good times, who understands the club and the fans #WatfordFC
@TnsCov: Classic Watford 😂 didn’t you give him a long contract extension in the autumn to try and show this was no longer what you do
‘Tom Cleverley’s staff will be confirmed in due course…’ pic.twitter.com/UK33x2zthB
— John Salomon (@JohnSalomon85) March 9, 2024
Sorry it failed Val. I really god wished it worked and no watford fan ever wished for you to fail. But when you know your making mistakes week after week no Tactically awareness no plan B OR C. Players looking like they want play for you. It only ends one way. Look for the future pic.twitter.com/iCXM9uHPNp
— WFC Matheus (@Umayr_WFC) March 9, 2024
— cj (@CJ911219) March 9, 2024
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