- The statement was posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday evening
- The post comes with the Hornets sitting in eighth place in the Championship
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Watford have issued a bizarre statement regarding the position of their manager Tom Cleverley in criticising ‘speculation’ that he will be sacked.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the club said: ‘Watford FC confirms Tom will be in charge for the match at Coventry City and that the speculation over his position is just that – pure speculation.’
The post comes with the Hornets sitting in eighth place in the Championship, just one point off the play-off places.
While Cleverley’s side are well-placed for a promotion push in the second half of the season, they have won just two of their last eight Championship fixtures.
The concerning run, which stretches back to December 15, prompted rumours that he may not be at the helm for much longer.
According to Talksport, Cleverley is ‘on the brink of being sacked’, with Spanish media outlets reporting that Pacheta, who formerly managed Villarreal, is set to replace the man who enjoyed a six-year stint at Vicarage Road as a player.
The statement was posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday evening
Watford have issued a bizarre statement regarding the position of their manager Tom Cleverley in criticising ‘speculation’ that he will be sacked
While Cleverley’s side are well-placed for a promotion push in the second half of the season, they have won just two of their last eight Championship fixtures
Although Cleverley enjoyed an impressive start in the dugout by going unbeaten in his first 17 home games, winning four points from a possible 18 is a concern.
This is particularly the case given that Watford’s current owners, the Pozzo family, who have appointed 21 different managers since taking over the club in July 2012.
Reacting to the post, several users were perplexed at the club’s decision to make such a public statement on the matter.
One user wrote: ‘The fact you have to confirm that our manager will in fact manage our team is hilarious.’
A second joked: ‘Someone needs to make an Amazon documentary on this club. Absolutely mental day in day out’.
A slightly more sympathetic reply read: ‘Awful statement. Who on earth thought the final part was either necessary or professional?
Reacting to the post, several users were perplexed at the club’s decision to make such a public statement on the matter
‘Tom, do yourself a favour and leave on your terms, tonight.’
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Cleverley, who was on loan at Watford from the Red Devils in 2009-10, returned to Vicarage Road from Everton in 2017, and would end up staying until announcing his retirement in summer 2023.
He subsequently made his first move into coaching with Watford’s academy before taking on the interim head coach role in March 2024 following the sacking of his predecessor Valerien Ismael.
His position was then made permanent a month later but it remains to be seen how much longer he will last at Watford.
