In taking the reins in May, the 47-year-old Frenchman became Watford’s eighth head coach in the last three years. His arrival follows a dispiriting couple of years at Vicarage Road.
A depressing relegation from the Premier League in 2021-22 was followed by a lacklustre 11th place finish in the Championship last term.
On paper, the Hornets had a squad to challenge for immediate promotion back to the top flight. On the pitch, they never came close to showing it.
It was no great surprise that a clearout ensued, while star names Joao Pedro (£30m to Brighton) and Ismaila Sarr (£15m to Marseille) were hardly likely to stick around for another season of second tier football when they had better offers on the table.
Of course, last season’s managerial musical chairs which saw Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic and Chris Wilders all take turns in the hotseat hardly did the Hertfordshire club any favours.
It’s been left to former Barnsley and West Brom boss Ismael to pick up the piece. A 4-0 opening day home win against QPR was just the start he would have wanted to get the fans onside, but a goalless draw against Plymouth, also at Vicarage Road, and a 1-0 loss at Stoke have somewhat dampened that early enthusiasm.
“It’s a different challenge for sure, but we are aligned, this is the main message from me,” said Ismael ahead of today’s game against Blackburn. “From day one, we thought it could be an excellent team and from pre-season the feeling got better and better. We can build something together.
“With the start we made against QPR, it showed that if we have time to reshape things, we will have success and that is my feeling, the feeling of the club.
Denne historien er fra August 27, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 27, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
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ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
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MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.
