Here we go . https://x.com/WatfordFC/status/1919720571484373037 Very predictable given comments in recent weeks .
I think he showed great loyalty to the owners, taking the blame for transfer failings that were outside his control. Shame it was not a two-way affair.
They wanted him out in January and we were top 6 then ! So no surprise Tom has gone now when we have had the worse form since Christmas. Apparently the Pozzos say we have a talented squad - well must have missed that .
Not unexpected. ...with a better squad he may have achieved more..but could not achieve the miracle required with this squad..but who will??
Maybe most worrying they seem to think the squad is good so yet again blame the manager rather than look to recruit well. Now we have had a bad run of form and the football been poor but that has happened each season for a while so cannot just be down to x manager at the time. Probably be the same story in a few months .
Not totally unexpected but very disappointing, the owners can point to the lack of discipline over the last ten or so games and the fact that if we start well we collapse after the half time pep talk In reality this was not a good place to start a managerial career because he really needed a smaller club without the pressures of needing promotion to cut his teeth and learn all the facets of being a manager, had he managed a smaller club and been recruited here in a couple of years time it might have been a different story We have also stopped Norwich from paying us compensation to recruit him and if he does a Rob Edwards there then all heel will break loose
“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 recognized for this, and I’m sure he will have a bright future in the game." If he has a bright future in the game Nani, then why not with Watford? Just words Mr Nani.
Tom Cleverley did an excellent job in difficult circumstances. His greatest achievement wasn’t securing a mid-table finish or anything like that - it was uniting a divided football club. 72cast @72cast.bsky.social
Readers vote Poll closes 8 May 2025 Are WFC right to sack Tom Cleverley? Yes6% No94% Votes cast: 2642
Front runners to take over - Will Still, Marti Cifuentes and Gary O'Neil. Am not sure of the relevance, but Still is favourite apparently because he is dating Emma Saunders... https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/watford/next-watford-manager-qpr-marti-cifuentes-5115881
He has done well in France but most of these people will want time and money to spend . Which they won’t get here unless the performances and results are good . And the Pozzos obviously expect top 6 at least .
Cifuentes currently on gardening leave from QPR for daring to have considered a job elsewhere. O'Neil sacked by Wolves in December and hasn't worked since. Still is Belgian - has never worked in England before, but is the current head coach of RC Lens, who, coincidentally, play in red, black and yellow.
The form in the second half of the season has been very worrying, but the squad isn't great. I'm pleased he lasted the whole season and to some extent we've reversed the feeling around the club of managers being binned every 5 minutes and a lack of connection with the fans. However, I'm worried that this reveals that Gino Pozzo and his advisors have a very naïve view of the quality of our players and what they should be achieving and don't have the realisation that actually, we're a mid-table team AT BEST. Sure, a different manager might have done a bit better this season, but I don't think they would have got into the playoffs. It's a big gamble, because they've repeatedly failed in their hiring decisions, shown by how quickly they have to sack managers. We could have kept a manager who, overall, has slightly improved this season over last season (with a worse squad), who could continue to develop things next season. Instead we will hire an unknown who might not gel at all with the players and fans, and could be out already in the autumn and the merry-go-round starts again. Personally, I think they should be relatively happy with a mid-table finish and being able to make some money selling on our better players to keep things going, and try to buy a couple more cheap gems.
It’s great shame as he was popular with fans due to his long term connection with the club . A lot of players have spoken out in support of Tom which says a lot about about how they respected and liked him too. But we had only gained 20 points since Christmas so guess the writing was on the wall . We lacked depth in the squad and he was dealt a tough hand but the Pozzos seem to think the players are talented and should have done better which as F1 Hornet says would go against most opinions and maybe somewhat deluded .
Will Still (who is only 32 years old) was born in Belgium, but he has English parents so he should speak English fluently.
