Tom Cleverley speaks out after being sacked as head coach of Watford, who finished 2024-25 sitting 14th with 57 points from 46 games.
Following the dismissal of Watford manager, Valerien Ismael on the 9th of March 2024, Cleverley was named as interim head coach.
On his debut a week later, he won 1–0 away to Birmingham City, then on the 24th of April 2024, Cleverley was given the head coach role on a permanent basis having lost only once in his seven matches in interim charge.
Incredibly, it means that none of Watford’s last 19 managers have reached 70 games in charge. The club are now looking for their 10th manager since July 2020.
Watford FC confirms the departure of Tom Cleverley as Head Coach.
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 6, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Watford FC confirms the departure of Tom Cleverley as Head Coach.
Cleverley stabilised performances at the end of the 2023/24 season in an interim position before his full-time appointment last summer.
At one stage, the Golden Boys were part of the play-off picture but, unfortunately, performances and results drifted with just five wins in 2025.
Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani said: “We thank Tom for his service – not just in his role as Head Coach but for everything he has given Watford as a player and member of staff.
“But the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefitted from the experience of the Championship this season.
“It has been a privilege to work closely with Tom; to understand how he sees the game and his enthusiasm for everything here. He deserves to be recognised for this and I’m sure he will have a bright future in the game.
“Tom will always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years.”
There will be no further club comment until a new appointment has been made.
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW WATFORD MANAGER:
BetVictor – 6th May
Russell Martin – 5/4
Sean Dyche – 6/4
Danny Rohl – 4/1
Lee Carsley – 10/1
Gary O’Neil – 14/1
David Wagner – 16/1
WHAT HAS TOM CLEVERLEY SAID:
After nine-and-a-half years of my life – as a loanee, player, captain, academy coach and head coach – my time at the club has come to an end.
After the sadness wears off, I will forever have a feeling of gratitude and happiness towards the club and the place and people of Watford.
To have built a connection with the players and supporters over the last 14 months has been special and the achievement I’m most proud about.
To see the development of our key players, young players and academy players, has been an incredibly rewarding part of my job and their progress in the game will always be something I look out for. We have used 11 players aged 21 and under this year and both they and the club will benefit hugely for this experience.
To maintain league position and points after selling key players last summer is something we should be proud of, as well as reflecting on why we couldn’t sustain our play-off challenge will be something we should all review.
Football and football clubs are special. They make you feel truly part of something. I wasn’t born in Watford or raised in Watford but this honestly feels like home.
To the club I’m grateful for the opportunity, the players for their efforts, and the supporters myself and my family will forever appreciate the love and support you have given me on this journey.
I repeat I will be sad that it’s over, but full of happiness that it ever happened. And I hope it’s not the final time our paths cross. You ‘Orns
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Tom Cleverley speaks out after being sacked as head coach of Watford…
@SocialEngland66: Vaffanculo Gino Pozzo
@HemelHornet1881: After everyone renewed their season tickets and you didn’t have to face the music at a game, you slippery little scumbag Pozzo.
@PatMcNicholas: This might be the most inexcusable decision so far under Pozzo’s tenure. Shirking the blame from their own mismanagement to suggest Cleverley failed with a “young and exciting squad” is simply ludicrous. I can fully understand the detachment from the club that plenty are feeling.
@HCfootball01: Genuinely love to know what the Watford owners expect? Do they think they should be getting promoted? Genuinely no clue, but it’s not even funny, they’re genuinely stupid
@wfccaity: This makes me feel sick. We are being taken for mugs, renewing season tickets for Tom specifically then waiting until everyone had renewed to then drop this bomb. This club is rotten and until things change we are going on a continuous downwards spiral.
@DanielleClavin: I don’t know what to say. I think Pozzos should be ashamed of themselves. You have treated a man who was valued by supporters in a disgusting way. Well done! You truly have ruined my club.
@TheStatsSaint: You guys have problems, dude has been decent
@alexmartin9822: That’s the final bit of identity I had with this club gone
@BenJac2007: Genuine question – when was the last time you lot went a season without sacking a manager
@WycombeDJ: You’re actually taking the piss looooooool. Who’s next, Sam Allardyce? Youve hired and sacked basically everyone else in English football
@AdamRowe_98: Unforgivable, what an absolute complete and utter disgrace. Young manager, who cares about the club and has massively over performed with one of the weakest squads in the division and they do that. Even by Pozzo standards, this one is diabolical. #WatfordFC
@cultureforce1: Absolutely disgraceful. No coming back from this one lads
@BCFC_Chapz: Not even a watford fan, but your owners are an absolute disgrace – when of the best home teams in the first half of the season. Hampered by injuries. The first time in years I felt watford had an identity and unity. Sorry to hear this watford fans
@dresserman: Honestly thought it was a parody account at first. Unbelievable.
HAVE YOUR SAY –
Harsh to sack Tom Cleverley? Was he the right man for the job? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @fan_banter
GET OUT OF MY CLUB #watfordfc pic.twitter.com/avvpv8030P
— MJG (@MJGgraphics) May 6, 2025
