According to Valerien Ismael, the manager of Watford, discussions over a contract extension are still happening as of right now, the Watford Observer has learned.
Despite the fact that the Hornets’ head coach only joined the team in the summer and has plenty of time left on his contract at Vicarage Road, The Athletic reported last week that the two parties had begun discussing a potential extension.
This display of support for Ismael has surprised many because the club has a history of quickly removing managers, with Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic, and Chris Wilder all taking over last season.
On the first day, they defeated Queens Park Rangers with a superb 4-0 victory, but they haven’t really impressed after then, winning only one of their following five league games.
In the first round of the Carabao Cup, League One team Stevenage eliminated the Hornets on penalties.
They presently occupy the 13th spot in the league after winning two, drawing two, and losing two of their first six league games. By defeating West Bromwich Albion tonight, they will have the chance to move up into the promotion conversation.
That won’t be an easy task though despite the Baggies also enduring a mixed start to the 2023/24 campaign.
When does Valerien Ismael’s current Watford contract expire?
Although the length of Ismael’s contract wasn’t officially announced by the Hornets, The Athletic believe he signed a three-year deal when he joined in the summer.
With this, his deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2026 and considering the average life span of a manager in the Championship, it’s doubtful that he will see out that contract.
Ismael’s contract reportedly contains a number of clauses and it’s unclear whether one of those is an automatic extension option, but the Hornets seem to be ploughing on with talks regardless.
What did Valerien Ismael say about Watford contract talks?
Ismael is clearly happy in Hertfordshire and it seems as though he’s open to putting pen to paper on an extension.
He told the Watford Observer: “The talks are ongoing. As I have said from day one, I have a good feeling here.
“I think the club is pleased with our way of working, how we define our work and the identity we want to put into the club, and the way we work with the players.
“I think that everyone understood the process, and it feels good and it feels right.”
Should Watford be looking to extend Valerien Ismael’s contract already?
It would be yet another poor managerial decision if they gave Ismael an extension at this point.
The Frenchman enjoyed a great start to life at West Brom before things turned sour and there were already red flags during that unbeaten run at the start of the 2021/22 season.
The Hornets haven’t enjoyed a spectacular start to the season and it just seems illogical to award him with an extension at this point.
New contracts have to be earned and although Ismael worked hard during the summer, he needs to enjoy more success in Hertfordshire before he extends his stay.
If he puts pen to paper on an extension and is sacked not too long after, the Hornets will probably need to pay him more in compensation. On paper, a new deal doesn’t make sense at this point.
