“I’d Be Surprised” – Pundit Makes Admission On Watford Manager’s Future
EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has claimed that he expects Watford head coach Valerien Ismael to “lose his job imminently” following recent reports that emerged surrounding the Frenchman’s position.
The Hornets have been on a dreadful run of form in the Championship, picking up merely one victory in their previous seven league outings. This turgid spell has left the club 11 points behind the final playoff spot which is currently occupied by Hull City.
Furthermore, Watford are in a tricky position in the table now where the side may be too far behind to push for a top-six finish but are also nine points safe of the relegation zone and not in much danger of being relegated despite still having to play the likes of Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Southampton.
The Hertfordshire outfit suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road on Saturday against a struggling Huddersfield Town. Reports emerged from talkSPORT following the loss that the board were looking to make a managerial change.
Having taken over in May last year from the departing Chris Wilder, Ismael was handed a new three-year deal as early as October, with the side down near the bottom of the table.
Watford’s next game takes place on Saturday away at a revitalised Millwall and former player Palmer has stated he’d be surprised if Ismael was still in the dugout. Speaking to Football League World, the pundit said:
“It all began so brightly for Ismael, as he was handed a contract extension in October following a positive start to the season. But with it looking almost certain that Watford won’t make the playoffs with a 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town, you know what the Watford owners are like.
“I’d be surprised if he survived another week or so as manager of the football club. The results have been very disappointing, the performances have been disappointing. Obviously, the table doesn’t lie and with them being so far adrift of the top six, I expect him to lose his job imminently.”
