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The managerial merry-go-round continues and we haven’t even finished the season yet, but Championship fans think the latest sacking is a big mistake.
As the Championship campaign draws to a close, with only the play-offs still left to resolve, many clubs now know where they stand looking ahead to next season.
The likes of Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry City, and Bristol City may yet make it to the Premier League, but failure could see changes taking place at those clubs in the summer.
Indeed, we’ve already seen Tony Mowbray sacked by West Brom, Johannes Hoff Thorup ousted at Norwich City, and Ruben Selles could be on his way out of Hull, too.
Now, Tom Cleverley has suffered the same fate, and fans of both Watford and clubs across the EFL are bemused by the decision.
Championship fans react as Watford sack yet another manager
Despite a relatively decent season, Watford missed out on the Championship play-offs and ended the campaign in 14th place.
We had been led to believe that Cleverley would be given another chance next season to guide Watford to promotion, but that’s not the case.
The club today announced that Cleverley had departed his role as manager, and it’s prompted some angry and surprised reactions from fans across the game.
One supporter wrote, “Absolutely disgraceful. No coming back from this one lads,” while another, a Southampton fan, added, “You guys have problems, dude has been decent.”
The state of things at Watford has long been a matter of debate, and social media is now ablaze with criticism of the ownership. One person said, “Shambles of a club these days, wow,” and another added, “Yet another woeful decision by the ownership.”
Clearly, Watford fans are not happy with the news. One wrote: “What the hell are you doing to my club?! Pozzo you’re a disgrace.” Another simply said: “Get out of my club,” with a photo of the Pozzo family name in the stands at Vicarage Road.
What’s next for Watford and Tom Cleverley after parting ways?
Watford will now be on the hunt for their 17th manager in the last ten years, which is, frankly, ludicrous. Who they will turn to to take them forward remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, the role is a poisoned chalice right now, to say the least.
To be fair, Cleverley did last more than a year at Watford, which is something no manager has done since Javi Gracia’s reign between January 2018 and September 2019.
As for Cleverley, there had been suggestions he was being eyed up by Norwich, but Jack Wilshere looks set to land that role now.
There could be a chance he would be considered by recently-relegated Leicester City, given he has spent time at the club as a player before. Ruud van Nistelrooy is almost certainly leaving the Foxes, but whether they would gamble on Cleverley or not is another matter.
Either way, judging by the reactions to this latest news, Cleverley’s reputation is strong and he could and should be given another chance by a club this summer.