Watford FC owners slammed for "extremely cowardly" Tom Cleverley decision | OneFootball

Football League World's Watford fan pundit has reacted to the shock sacking of Tom Cleverley

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Watford have been widely criticised for the shock decision to part company with Tom Cleverley, which came just days after the popular ex-midfielder guided the Hornets to a 14th-placed finish in the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

The club has a damaged reputation for failing to afford ample time to managers, and employs a uniquely trigger-happy policy. But there was still shock on Tuesday afternoon when Watford announced their 10th managerial dismissal in just five years by relieving Cleverley of his duties following 14 months in charge.

Cleverley was, and remains, a popular figure at Vicarage Road, having been with the club in both a playing and coaching capacity ever since 2017, when he first joined from Everton.

That popularity only grew throughout the course of the recently-concluded campaign, in which Watford spent large parts competing for a play-off finish in spite of Cleverley working with a limited playing squad and budget. The Hornets lost their way towards the end of the season and lost five of their final seven, but still finished the campaign firmly in mid-table after being tipped for relegation before a ball was kicked.

An official club statement addressing the decision explained how Watford, who are owned by the under-fire Pozzo family, believe that change is necessary to build on a "young and talented squad". Many, however, have lamented the decision and it has sparked an unsurprisingly fierce reaction from the Hornets faithful.

Watford FC reaction given to Tom Cleverley sacking

Following Cleverley's dismissal, FLW asked our resident Hornets fan pundit, Justin Beattie, for his immediate thoughts on the sacking.

Justin described the timing of the sacking, made just days after the end of the season, as an "extremely cowardly" decision, and he believes that Cleverley pulled off "minor miracles" by stabilising Watford and often having the side punching above its weight in 24/25.

"My immediate thoughts about the sacking of Tom Cleverley are that this is a cowardly act by the owners," Justin told FLW.

"To do this straight after the season finishes means that by the time that next season starts, all of this will be forgotten and fans will be looking ahead to the new season.

"Timing-wise, it suits the owners but I think it is extremely cowardly on their part to do this when they did.

"Cleverley has given good service to Watford over the years as a player, as a coach and as a manager. He's very much liked by Watford supporters and they are rightly upset at this decision.

"It wasn't unexpected, but to come when it did seems particularly poor on the owners' part. I think that once it's sunk in and we get a chance to regroup, there may be some harsh words directed at the owners.

"But in all honesty, I think by the time the new season comes around, this will be largely old news.

"I think everybody associated with Watford football club wishes nothing but the best for Cleverley going forward.

"He acted with the utmost dignity during his tenure and pulled off minor miracles by getting us into the position we finally found ourselves in at the end of the season, considering the squad that the owners had assembled for him to use.

"It was nothing short of absolutely brilliant on his part. Although the end of the season tailed off badly and our form was poor, he will be remembered as being one of the good guys at Watford.

Tom Cleverley will have no shortage of suitors following shock Watford FC sack

The fact that Cleverley has received the sack is likely to be deemed across the footballing world as no slight on his own capabilities given the club's predisposition to unnecessarily pulling the trigger, and his reputation should remain intact.

At 35, the ex-Manchester United and Watford midfielder is a young and progressive head coach who already possesses experience working under a tight budget and utilising young talent at Championship level.

Those attributes are sure to make him an attractive proposition to clubs ahead of next season, and it would be no surprise if Cleverley lands a new job before long. The likes of West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City are both currently without managers.

There could be many more vacancies in the coming days, though, with uncertainty surrounding Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough future, Ruben Selles at Hull City, Danny Rohl's future with Sheffield Wednesday and QPR boss Marti Cifuentes.