Tom Cleverley Appointed as Caretaker Manager as Watford Dismiss Ismael
Watford Football Club has made a surprising decision to sack Valerien Ismael and replace him with Tom Cleverley as caretaker boss. The decision came after Watford’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at home against Coventry City at Vicarage Road. The news was announced by the club on social media, stating that Cleverley will assume the position of Interim Head Coach at Vicarage Road following the termination of Ismael’s contract.
Watford’s recent form has been disastrous, resulting in their drop from seventh to 13th place in the league table. They have only managed to secure two wins in their last 13 games, leaving them 13 points behind sixth-placed Norwich City. This decline in performance has raised concerns with trigger-happy owner Gino Pozzo, who reportedly considered Ismael’s tenure.
Interestingly, Pozzo had given Ismael a new three-year contract just last October. However, the defeat against Coventry proved to be the final straw for the Italian businessman, leading to Ismael’s dismissal. Watford has developed a reputation for frequently changing managers over the past four and a half years, with Ismael being the 12th coach to be replaced during this period.
Taking over the reins of the team is former Manchester United youth product, Tom Cleverley. This marks Cleverley’s first venture into management, having spent his playing career as a midfielder. The 34-year-old midfielder rejoined Watford permanently in 2017 after a successful loan spell in the 2009-2010 season, during which he won player of the season.
Cleverley, who earned 13 caps for England, was named club captain during the 2022-23 campaign by former boss Rob Edwards. Unfortunately, Cleverley announced his retirement from football due to an injury at the end of that season. However, he remained involved with Watford, taking up a role in the club’s academy as a coach for the under-18 side while also fulfilling ambassadorial responsibilities.
It remains to be seen how Cleverley will fare in his new role as caretaker boss. The appointment comes at a critical time for Watford, as they aim to turn their season around and secure a place in the play-offs. Supporters will be eager to see if Cleverley’s experience as a player and his familiarity with the club can inspire a resurgence in form.
In conclusion, Watford’s decision to dismiss Ismael and replace him with Cleverley as caretaker manager has raised eyebrows within the football community. With Watford’s recent poor performances and their history of changing managers frequently, Cleverley faces a challenging task ahead. However, his experience as both a player and an ambassador for the club may prove to be valuable assets as he takes charge of the team. Football fans will be eagerly watching to see if Cleverley can bring about a positive change and revive Watford’s fortunes.