Watford Football Club has announced the dismissal of head coach Tom Cleverley after the team failed to secure a spot in the Championship play-offs, finishing 14th in the league table. The decision comes after a challenging season where the Hornets managed only one point from their last five games, culminating in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Cleverley, a former Manchester United, Everton, and Watford midfielder, was appointed as interim boss in March 2024 following the departure of Valerien Ismael. He was later confirmed as the permanent head coach in April. Over his tenure, Cleverley led the team through 60 games, securing 20 wins and suffering 26 losses.

In a statement, Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani expressed gratitude for Cleverley's dedication and passion for the club, stating, "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 recognised for this and I'm sure he will have a bright future in the game."

Watford's search for a new head coach marks the 10th permanent appointment since Nigel Pearson's departure in 2020. Cleverley was the first head coach to complete an entire season since Javi Gracia in the 2018-19 season. Despite a strong start, including an unbeaten home record in his first 15 league games, the team's performance declined following a 2-1 defeat by Cardiff on December 29.

Reports earlier in the season suggested that former Villarreal head coach Jose Rojo Martin, known as Pacheta, was in talks to replace Cleverley. However, the club dismissed these claims as "pure speculation" in January, with owner Gino Pozzo reaffirming his support for Cleverley.

Reflecting on the season, Cleverley cited injuries, particularly among forwards, as a significant factor in the team's struggles. "There's no difference in the number of goals we've conceded from pre-January to post-January, but the amount of goals we've scored has dropped significantly," he said. Despite the challenges, Cleverley remained optimistic about the future, emphasizing the potential of the young squad and the valuable experience gained throughout the season.

Watford's statement concluded, "There will be no further club comment until a new appointment has been made." The decision to part ways with Cleverley is expected to be met with disappointment from fans, who have shown strong support for the former player and coach throughout the season.