9 months ago
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WATFORD have 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.
Alamy
Alan CozziThe news was announced by the club on social media.
A statement on X reads: “Tom Cleverley will assume the position of Interim Head Coach at Vicarage Road.
“This follows Watford FC terminating the contract of Valerien Ismael after today’s home defeat to Coventry City.”
Watford have been in disastrous form that has seen them drop out of the play off places.
They have picked up just two wins in their last 13 games, going from seventh to 13th.
Their recent bad run means they languish 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 back in October.
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Defeat at home to Coventry was the final straw for the Italian businessman.
Astonishingly, Watford have turned over a number of managers over the past four-and-half years.
It’s the 12th time they have had to change their coach over the past four-and-a-half years.
The reins have now been handed to former Man Utd youth product Cleverley.
It is the 34-year-old midfielder’s first foray in the dugout.
The ex-England international, who earned 13 caps, rejoined the club permanently in 2017 – seven years after he enjoyed a successful loan spell in the 2009-2010 season, when he won player of the season.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Cleverley was named as club captain by former boss Rob Edwards, now at Luton Town.
At the end of that season, Cleverly announced his retirement from football following an injury.
He took up a role in the club’s academy helping to coach the under-18 side, while also taking on ambassadorial responsibilities.
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