Watford have announced they have appointed Tom Cleverley as the club's permanent head coach.
When Valerien Ismael was removed from his position in the dugout on March 9, the Hornets hierarchy made the decision to promote Cleverley on a temporary basis.
The 34-year-old retired from professional football last summer and was swiftly provided with a role coaching the club's Under-18s.
However, such has been the impact that he has had in the senior ranks that Watford's owners have opted to hand him the reins on a full-time basis.
Cleverley stabilises Watford
Tom Cleverley: I̶n̶t̶e̶r̶i̶m̶ Head Coach 🫡 pic.twitter.com/DKe5i23gLc
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 24, 2024
Cleverley was progressed up the pecking order with Watford in 13th position in the Championship standings, albeit just seven points above the relegation zone.
Watford had won just one of their previous 12 matches, but Cleverley made an immediate impact as his side recorded a 1-0 victory away at Birmingham City.
Since then, Watford have failed to win another game, yet that should be put into context with just one defeat being suffered in that time, a last-gasp 3-2 reverse at Southampton.
The other five fixtures - all against promotion contenders in Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, Preston North End, Ipswich Town and Hull City - have ended in draws.
Although just eight points have come from seven games, Watford are still seven points clear of the bottom three and are assured of their place in next season's Championship.
A fixture against 13th-placed Sunderland, who they can overtake, is next up for Watford, before they conclude the campaign with a showdown against Middlesbrough.
Darren Plant
