Former RC Lens and Bayern Munich player who has since become a coach, Valérien Ismael was relieved of his duties as Watford coach on Saturday.
A known face at Lens and Strasbourg in France, but also at Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich in Germany, Valérien Ismael has swapped his professional footballer’s habit for that of a coach. For more than a decade now, the former defender has transformed into a tactician and has played for numerous clubs. The last one was Watford, but the adventure ended abruptly this Saturday.
Arrived in May 2023 on the bench Hornets, Valérien Ismael’s mission was to bring them to the top of the Championship rankings (English D2) this season, perhaps with a ticket to the Premier League at stake. Unfortunately for him, a terrible period punctuated by only one victory in twelve matches, in all competitions, was fatal to him. On Saturday, his team was beaten at home by Coventry (1-2, 37th day) and Ismael was sidelined immediately.
A former United man at the helm
A laconic press release was posted by the club on its social networks: “ The Hornets thank Valérien and his staff for their involvement and their work. Unfortunately, the club’s management believe the time has come for a change to improve results. »
Although he had extended his contract last October, the Frenchman left his place to Tom Clerverley. A name that will mean something to Manchester United supporters since the former midfielder revealed himself there by playing 79 matches and winning a Premier League (2012-2013), before quickly falling back into anonymity and being loaned to several clubs, including Watford.
