Watford head coach Valerien Ismael has signed a contract extension, despite his side's slow start to the Championship season.

Watford's loss at home to Middlesbrough at the weekend left the Hornets 20th in the Championship table, having won just two of their first nine games. They play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tomorrow night.

Despite that slow start, Watford - who have built a reputation as a hire and fire club in recent years - have somewhat surprisingly moved to hand Ismael a new contract.

The ex-Barnsley and West Brom boss was appointed to the job at Vicarage Road in May, when his contract length was not disclosed by the Sky Bet Championship club.

Watford said the new deal’s details “remain broadly the same”, but the club had now moved to “lock in” Ismael for a “longer period of time”.

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Watford sporting director Cristiano Giaretta said on the club website: “The owner, the board and all of the senior management team have enjoyed getting to know and understanding Valerien 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.”

Giaretta added: “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.

“We have told the first-team players and staff who have reacted positively, so now we all must focus on our work – the match at Sunderland tomorrow night.”