Watford cause stir with fans after 'club statement' on manager Valerian Ismael

The Hornets have become infamous for their scattergun approach to managers having had 19 different bosses in the last 10 years.

In that time, names such as Claudio Ranieri, Slaven Bilic and Rob Edwards have all fallen foul of Watford's ruthless streak and fans immediately feared the Championship club were about to ditch another manager when they posted a formal statement to their social media channel.

And they could be forgiven for fearing worst after Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to struggling Middlesbrough, which followed a 3-0 drubbing at Leeds the previous weekend.

However, those fears were allayed upon clicking on the post as fans were surprisingly greeted with the good news that Ismael has signed a contract extension at Vicarage Road.

The club revealed Ismael's contract remains 'broadly the same' but have locked the Frenchman down for an undisclosed 'longer period of time.'

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The statement from Sporting Director Cristiano Giaretta read: "The Owner, the Board and all of the senior management team have enjoyed getting to know and understanding Valérien and his methods.

"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."

"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."

The post, which has garnered plenty of attention, left fans a little bit shook but many saluted the club's attempts at some mild lunchtime banter.

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One fan wrote: "Great banter with the notification, good work."

Another added: "Next level bants."

A third replied: "Fantastic comedic misdirection…They should be on a stage with a microphone."

While another wrote: "That's not the announcement I was expecting."

Watford find themselves in 20th place with just two wins, two draws and four defeats from nine games.

The Hornets are without a win in their last four games and face a trip to in-form Sunderland on Wednesday evening.