Jake Livermore makes Valerien Ismael admission and reveals ‘uncommon’ Tom Fellows trait
Former West Brom captain Jake Livermore has explained the difference between Valerien Ismael then and now and has shared his thoughts on Tom Fellows
Jake Livermore has applauded Valerien Ismael for softening his steely philosophy while at West Bromwich Albion as the pair work together again at Watford. Ismael was appointed in 2021 and tasked with guiding Albion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, but he was sacked just seven months into his four-year deal after the club lost 2-0 at Millwall and fell out of the play-off places.
It took Albion until the appointment of Carlos Corberan to return to the top six almost a year later, and now 12 months on from then they’re relatively secure in fifth, 11 points and six places above Ismael’s Watford. That said, Livermore – who left Albion after six and a half years last summer – has seen reasons for optimism during his second stint working under the Frenchman.
Indeed although the results have been a mixed bag this season at Vicarage Road – including a 2-2 draw with Albion, who they visit at The Hawthorns on 1 April – Ismael has already done enough work at the club in the eyes of the owners to be worthy of being handed an improved and extended contract – just five months after his appointment.
Credit to the manager for the way he’s adapted his approach to his press and philosophy since we last worked together,” Livermore said, via SkyBet. “Now he feels he has more quality within the squad, and he can ask his team and players to do more. That’s credit to him as well – the game is evolving, and he is clearly on the path of making us better and making the club a better environment.
