Watford want 'more experienced' boss to replace Cleverley

Tom Cleverley won 20 of his 60 games as Watford head coach

Watford owner Gino Pozzo has confirmed the club want a "more experienced coach" to replace Tom Cleverley.

The former Manchester United, Everton and Hornets midfielder was sacked on Tuesday in the wake of the team's failure to reach the Championship play-offs.

He is the 21st managerial departure from Vicarage Road since 2012 and in that time the club have appointed candidates from all backgrounds and with varying levels of experience.

"Tom is a bright young coach who has a real future in the game, but he needs time to gain experience and in football time is a precious commodity," said Pozzo in a statement on the club website.

"I felt, to achieve our immediate aims next season, we need a more experienced coach to get the best out of our squad.

"Results and performances, certainly after Christmas, were those of a club in a relegation fight and we couldn't allow that momentum to continue into the next campaign."

Watford have been promoted to the Premier League three times since Sean Dyche was sacked 13 years ago, with Slavisa Jokanovic, Javi Gracia and Xisco Munoz in charge, but only managed a single season in the top flight on the last two occasions.

They finished 14th in the Championship this season and Cleverley paid the price, having been in charge since March 2024, initially as interim boss.

"I realise we have a responsibility to make this club the very best that it can be and I am energised in my determination to make Watford competitive, successful and challenge for a return to the Premier League," added Pozzo.

"This is a responsibility we all take incredibly seriously. The Championship is tough because there is a depth to the competition which makes it one of the hardest leagues in the world.

"But I have seen real signs this season that we have the talent within our squad to challenge for the play-off places next season and, hopefully, promotion."

Opting for more experienced managers is not a new policy at the club, Claudio Ranieri and then Roy Hodgson replaced Munoz in 2021-22 and the following season, Watford parted company with Rob Edwards after just 11 matches in charge and brought in Slaven Bilic.

Pozzo, meanwhile, hopes to ensure that whoever is appointed will have a balanced squad at his disposal next term and limit the number of departures over the summer.

He added: "Going forward, we will do everything in our power to keep those more experienced players in our squad to help the younger members in their development.

"We are not abandoning the model which has served us well over the years: identifying youth and developing it. But we recognise the need to keep this current squad together and build on it if we want to be successful.

"The club will never be jeopardised financially, but we will do everything possible to provide stability and growth where the playing side is concerned."