Watford have sacked head coach Tom Cleverley after a poor run of form dented their play-off aspirations.

Former Manchester United midfielder Cleverley was regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the Championship but was unable to halt a slump that saw Watford record the fewest points in the division in 2025.

The news of his departure has not gone down well with fans of the Vicarage Road club with a local newspaper poll revealing 95 per cent of supporters disagreed with the decision.

Watford FC confirms the departure of Tom Cleverley as Head Coach.

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 6, 2025

It’s time for a change – sporting director

In a statement, sporting director Gian Luca Nani said: “We thank Tom for his service – not just in his role as head coach but for everything he has given Watford as a player and member of staff.

“But the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefitted from the experience of the Championship this season.

“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.

“Tom will always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years.”

Cleverley joins lengthy list of sacked Watford head coaches

Cleverley took over from Valerien Ismael in March 2024 and helped them avoid relegation, eventually finishing 15th.

They were in the playoff frame for most of this season before a run of seven defeats in their last 11 games saw them come 14th.

The 35-year-old, who made 180 appearances for Watford as a player, was the 20th different head coach to have held the reins at the club since the Pozzo family took ownership in 2012.

The average lifespan of a Watford head coach under Pozzo ownership is 234 days.