Watford have confirmed the appointment of Tom Cleverley as their new permanent head coach, with the former Hornets midfielder making the step up from his interim position.
A statement from the club noted: “Watford FC is delighted to confirm the permanent appointment of Tom Cleverley as the Hornets’ Head Coach.
“Since taking the role on an interim basis last month, the 34-year-old has guided the team through a run of seven Sky Bet Championship fixtures – five of which against teams in the league’s top seven. The Hornets have lost just once during that period, keeping four clean sheets on the way to five draws and one win.
“Having retired from playing through injury last summer, Cleverley made his first move into coaching with the Watford FC Academy in July, guiding the Under-18s to second place in the Professional Development League table – as well as two cup semi-finals – prior to taking up the first-team Interim Head Coach position in March.”
Cleverley appeared over 180 times for Watford during his playing career, but announced his retirement 12 months ago after injury.
As a player, a 20-year-old Cleverley lifted the Hornets’ Player of the Season trophy after a stand-out 2009/10 campaign on loan from Manchester United, with whom he would go on to win the Premier League three years later.
