Watford release club statement on manager leaving fans gobsmacked as club languish near drop zone

WATFORD have left their fans gobsmacked after releasing a statement on manager Valerien Ismael.

The Hornets currently sit in 20th place in the Championship, just one point above the relegation zone.

GettyWatford have extended Valerien Ismael’s contract[/caption]

Since Ismael’s appointment in the summer, they have won just two of their nine league matches.

As a result, supporters suspected the Frenchman had been sacked when the club released a statement on Tuesday.

However, despite Watford’s trigger-happy reputation with managers, they instead confirmed he has been handed a contract extension.

“Head Coach Valérien Ismaël has signed an extended contract with Watford FC, the club is pleased to confirm,” read the statement on the club website.

“While the deal’s details remain broadly the same, the Hornets have moved to lock in the services of the former France youth international for a longer period of time.”

Reacting to the news, one shocked fan commented: “I can’t be the only one who thought of something different to a contract extension.”

Another added: “A club statement where no one has been sacked. GET INNNNNNNN!”

A third also wrote: “Clearly the club has a sense of humour announcing it like that.”

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Meanwhile, one more joked: “This is going to look even worse when we sack him in December.”

Watford have been known for sacking their managers under the Pozzo family’s ownership.

Since their takeover in 2012, 20 different managers have occupied the home dugout at Vicarage Road.

However, Ismael appears set for an extended stay for the time being, despite Saturday’s 3-2 loss to fellow strugglers Middlesbrough.

The 48-year-old has been in charge since July, returning to England after previous spells at Barnsley and West Brom.

He will be looking to kickstart a climb up the table on Wednesday night as his side visit fourth-placed Sunderland.

Ismael was only appointed Watford boss in the summerRex