Watford SACK Ismael and ex-Man Utd star Cleverley give their first management jobs
WATFORD has sacked Valerien Ismael and replaced him with Tom Cleverley as caretaker boss.
The Hornets were beaten 2-1 at home by Coventry City at Vicarage Road.
2
The news was announced by the club on social media.
A statement about X reads: “Tom Cleverley will take up the position of interim head coach at Vicarage Road.
“This follows Watford FC terminating Valerien Ismael’s contract following today’s home defeat to Coventry City.”
Watford were in disastrous form which saw them fall out of the play-offs.
They have just two wins in their last thirteen games, moving from seventh to thirteenth.
Their recent poor run means they are 13 points behind sixth-placed Norwich City.
Trigger-happy owner Gino Pozzo was reportedly considering Ismael’s tenure.
Bizarrely, it comes after he handed the Frenchman a new three-year contract in October.
CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BETTS FOR THE FESTIVAL
The defeat at home to Coventry was the last straw for the Italian businessman.
Amazingly, Watford has transferred a number of managers over the last four and a half years.
It is the twelfth time in the past four and a half years that they have had to change coaches.
The reins have now been handed over to former Man Utd youth product Cleverley.
It is the 34-year-old midfielder’s first appearance in the dug-out.
The ex-England international, who earned 13 caps, returned to the club permanently in 2017 – seven years after enjoying a successful loan spell in the 2009-10 season, when he was named Player of the Season.
During the 2022-2023 campaign, Cleverley was appointed club captain by former boss Rob Edwards, now at Luton Town.
At the end of that season, Cleverly announced his retirement from football after suffering an injury.
He took on a role in the club’s academy and helped coach the under-18 side, while also taking on ambassadorial responsibilities.