TOM CLEVERLEY has controversially been sacked by Watford.
The former Manchester United midfielder, 35, took over at Vicarage Road in March 2024, replacing Valerien Ismael initially as interim boss.
He took the head coach role on a permanent basis the following month, making him the 21st Hornets manager since Gino Pozzo took over the club in 2012.
Watford were in contention for a Championship play-off spot heading into the second half of the season.
But just five wins in 2025 but pay to those promotion dreams.
They finished the 2024-25 season 14th in the Championship on Saturday, concluding with a 1-1 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
That meant Cleverley was the club’s longest-serving manager since Javi Gracia – and the first to last more than a season since the Spaniard’s sacking in 2019.
But this year’s drop off was enough for the trigger-happy Hornets to dismiss their former midfielder in their latest controversial managerial axing – four months after having to release a statement to confirm he was still in the dugout.
The decision did not go down well with Watford supporters while a disappointed Cleverley took to Instagram with a classy statement.
He 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.
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“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.
“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 player 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 out paths cross. You ‘Orns.”
Sporting director Gian Luca Nani added: “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 benefited 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.”
Cleverley came through the youth system at Old Trafford and made 79 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, winning the Premier League in 2012-13 under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He had various loan spells – including at Watford – before joining Everton in 2015.
Just 18 months later, the 13-cap England international was on the move again as he headed to Watford again, initially on loan before making the switch permanent for the 2017-18 season.
He was relegated in 2020 but helped the Hornets straight back up again before retiring in 2023 to step into coaching.
Cleverley departs Vicarage Road with a record of 20 wins, 14 draws and 25 defeats from his 59 games in charge – with a win rate of 34 per cent.
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Alberto Garrido is the early 4-1 favourite to become the next Watford manager, according to talkSPORT Bet.
Gary O’Neil (5-1), Sean Dyche (6-1) and Rob Page (6-1) are also in contention with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard both at 16-1.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
