"Nature of the beast" - Pundit reveals concern for Tom Cleverley at Watford | OneFootball

Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Tom Cleverley has got to get Watford FC in and around the play-offs next season to avoid losing his job.

Watford FC appoint Tom Cleverley as permanent manager

Carlton Palmer’s thoughts come after Watford confirmed that Tom Cleverley has been appointed the club’s permanent head coach.

The former Manchester United midfielder was handed the role on an interim basis when Valerien Ismael was sacked in March.

The 34-year-old has so far overseen seven Championship games, but the Hornets have lost just one of those games, which is impressive given they have faced Southampton, Ipswich Town, West Brom, and Leeds United.

This 2023/24 season has been one to forget for Watford, as the club sits in 15th place on 53 points, comfortably away from the relegation zone, but having nothing to play for.

So, now that the club has confirmed Cleverley will be continuing in the role, his focus will be on plans for next season, as he will want to significantly improve their rankings.

Carlton Palmer: Tom Cleverley has got to hit the ground running as Watford manager

Here, we asked former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer for his thoughts on Watford appointing Tom Cleverley as manager on a permanent basis and if he thinks he will be given enough time in the job.

Palmer believes Cleverley has got to get Watford in and around the play-offs next season, and if not, he will lose his job.

Palmer exclusively told Football League World: “Tom Cleverley has been confirmed as permanent head coach of Watford FC.

“This has come about with Cleverley, who is 34, has guided his team through a run of seven Championship fixtures, five of which have been against teams in the league's top seven. They have lost just one during that period, keeping four clean sheets on their way to five draws and one win.

“However, obviously, this is a great opportunity for Tom Cleverley, and he's got to take it, he's got to make an impact which he's doing now, because we know, we know what's going to happen with the hierarchy at Watford. Although they've given this opportunity, we know what's going to happen, he's not going to be given the time, he's got to hit the ground running, he's got to get them in and up towards a play-off position next season.

“So, unfortunately, you know the nature of the beast, but it's hard to get managers jobs these days and for somebody like Cleverley, who is so young, it becomes difficult for him, you know, to get an opportunity like this.

“So, he's got to grab it with both hands, it's a great opportunity for him and, like I said, they are sitting in 15th place in the Championship, only one defeat in their last six games, but five draws.

“But they are some 16 points away from a play-off spot, so he's got work to do for next season and that's what he's got to do, he's got to get in around the play-offs next season. If he doesn’t, we all know that he will be fired, simple as it is.”

Watford appointing Tom Cleverley as manager is risky, but one worth taking

Watford have gained a reputation for appointing and firing managers, with whoever is in the dugout not lasting very long.

So, that means the club has gone through a lot of managers in recent times, all of whom have different profiles and ideas.

But it still hasn’t worked for the club, so when they decided to get rid of Valerien Ismael, it meant the club had to decide what route they wanted to go down again.

So, giving Tom Cleverley the reins until the end of the season was probably just so they could have time to find a new manager. But the former Manchester United man has taken the opportunity in his stride, picking up some impressive results against top opposition.

So, while there are always reservations about giving a permanent job to an interim manager, this may be a risk worth taking for Watford, as they have tried everything else, and it hasn’t worked.

Cleverley has played for the club and captained it, so he knows a lot already about Watford and the players there. So, this can give him an advantage heading into the summer and the new season, and Cleverley himself may want to prove a few people wrong after ending his playing career earlier.