"'I would be foolish to say yes" - Prediction given on Tom Cleverley’s Watford FC future | OneFootball

FLW’s Watford fan pundit hopes owners can exercise patience with the Hornets boss

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Doubt has been cast over Tom Cleverley’s long term future at Watford in regard to the club’s turbulent managerial past.

The Hornets currently sit in 11th place in the Championship table, six points outside the play-off places.

Football League World spoke to Watford fan pundit, Justin Beattie, on whether Cleverley was in it for the long haul at Vicarage Road, and if he could see the manager still in the dugout in three years time.

Tom Cleverley’s work at Watford is “nothing short of miraculous”

“As a Watford fan, long haul is usually six months not three years.” Beattie told FLW on Cleverley's long-term trajectory.

“However, I would love Tom Cleverley to stay as head coach at Watford for as long as possible. I think he’s got the players playing for each other, they really do seem to be buying into his philosophy, fans like him, so I honestly think that any disruption to that will only be detrimental to the club.”

“I would hope that the owners can see what the fans see, in that what Cleverley has done with a squad that perhaps isn’t the best we’ve seen for many seasons is nothing short of miraculous.”

On whether the former Manchester United midfielder would still be in the dugout in the years to come, he said:

“Will he still be here in three years time? You know, managers don’t last that long at Watford these days - so I would be foolish to say yes.”

“Would I like that to be the case though? On face value, as things are going at the moment and progressing, I’d like to say yes. But it’s Watford.”

Cleverley’s impact at Vicarage Road has been undeniable, with fans appreciating the togetherness and philosophy he has instilled in a squad that may not be the strongest on paper.

His ability to unify the players and generate results has been praised as “miraculous,” but the lingering question remains - will he be given the time to build something more sustainable?

Unlike many of his predecessors, Cleverley does have a contract that runs until 2027, a rare show of long-term faith from Watford’s ownership.

Chief executive Scott Duxbury has publicly backed the head coach, highlighting his commitment to player development and his deep-rooted understanding of the game from his time.

However, as history has shown, a contract length at Vicarage Road is no guarantee of job security.

Despite sitting just outside the play-off places, Cleverley remains optimistic about Watford’s chances this season, insisting that his squad has the firepower to push for promotion. Yet, their inconsistency in front of goal has been a recurring theme, and the recent goalless draw against Stoke City and home loss to Millwall only reinforced concerns about their attacking edge.

If results falter in the final stretch of the campaign, the club’s notoriously impatient hierarchy could once again be tempted to make a change.

Watford’s history suggests another managerial casualty is always around the corner. But if the owners are serious about stability and long-term progress, Cleverley deserves the opportunity to see out his project.

For now, he has the backing of the fans and the belief of his players - two crucial factors in his fight for longevity.