Watford Eyeing Permanent Ismael Replacement With 41% Win Rate

Watford made the decision to relieve Valerien Ismael of his duties on Saturday after the side lost at home yet again to promotion-hopefuls Coventry City.

The Hornets have been on a dreadful run of form over the past few weeks, losing three of their previous five league outings. Furthermore, the side’s only victory in their last 12 matches in all competitions was a 1-0 win away at bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United.

Central defender Ryan Porteous scored the opening goal at Vicarage Road yesterday within the first 20 minutes of the game but the visitors equalised from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval through Haji Wright.

Unfortunately, Watford couldn’t hold on to their solitary point as Wright popped up in the 72nd minute to hand Coventry all three points, leaving Mark Robins’ men merely a point behind the playoff places.

The result has left Ismael’s side in 14th in the Championship, 13 points behind the playoff places, meaning the dream of promotion back to the Premier League is now all but dead. However, the Hertfordshire side are only seven points above the relegation zone, making for an uncomfortable end to the season.

During his time in the dugout, the French coach took charge of 41 matches in all competitions but guided his team to victory in just 12 of those games and has now paid the ultimate price for his side’s poor form.

Former player Tom Cleverley has been handed the reins on an interim basis as the club search for a permanent successor for Ismael. According to The Mirror, two-time promotion winner Scott Parker is on the board’s shortlist, alongside legendary coach Neil Warnock.

Parker’s last job came in Belgium at Club Brugge but the former England international was sacked after winning just two of his 12 matches in charge. In his managerial career across three clubs, the 43-year-old boasts a 40.6% win rate, as per Transfermarkt.

Writer’s View

Sacking Ismael seemed bizarre on the outside looking in. Watford are a strong enough squad to stay in the division and are now too far away from the playoffs to challenge. The season is practically over so putting a new man in charge won’t change much.

The head coach position at Vicarage Road is radioactive. Any manager with long-term hopes of managing in the Premier League should stay well away from them (unless you’re Rob Edwards!). 11 managers since 2020 is proof of this.

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