Plymouth Argyle chairman reveals why ‘perfect’ Tom Cleverley was chosen as Miron Muslic’s replacement

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Former Watford manager will spearhead Plymouth Argyle’s League One campaign next season in the wake of the dubious departure of Miron Muslic.

Weeks after overseeing the relegation of Plymouth Argyle to League One, then-head coach Miron Muslic departed the club in dubious terms for German giants Schalke.

Muslic was tipped to take Plymouth back to the Championship this season at the first time of asking, but was accused of “jumping at the first opportunity” by supporters after opening talks with the Bundesliga Two outfit.

The Plymouth Argyle chairman slammed the conduct of Muslic, saying the Austrian left the club in a precarious position. Now, a replacement has been sought, in the shape of former Watford boss Tom Cleverley.

After the news broke on Friday evening amid the summer transfer window break, Argyle chairman Simon Hallett revealed why Cleverley was chosen.

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Tom Cleverley appointed as new Plymouth Argyle boss

Plymouth’s search for Muslic’s successor saw the club linked with a handful of targets, with out-of-work League One boss Ian Evatt in contention, as well as former Norwich interim manager Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere left Norwich City at the end of the season, and Plymouth fans thought Wilshere was poised to become the new Argyle manager.

Aside from Evatt and Wilshere, St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson was a new frontrunner for the vacant Argyle role. However, the reins have now been handed to Cleverley.

EFL fans were shocked when Watford sacked Cleverley last month, after a poor run of form towards the end of the Championship campaign stung the Hornets’ hopes for a top-six finish.

Watford’s decision has proven to be Plymouth’s gain, and Argyle owner Hallett has lifted the lid on his decision.

Argyle chairman Simon Hallett told PAFC.co.uk: “Ever since Miron’s (Muslic) departure, and knowing Tom was available, we identified him straight away as the perfect person to be our next Head Coach and targeted him immediately.

“When we spoke to him he was completely aligned with the vision and ambitions of the club and it was clear throughout that Tom was the right fit for us.

“He is fully invested in our long-term plans and will play a key role in helping us achieve them.

“He is young, passionate and did a great job at Watford. We are thrilled to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing the impact he has on the talented squad at his disposal.”

The Green Army ought to be excited for the 2025/26 League One campaign, after Cleverley’s appointment, given the calibre of job he did at Watford at a club famously unforgiving towards their head coaches.

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Tom Cleverley could be perfect Miron Muslic replacement at Plymouth

From Cleverley’s perspective, the Plymouth job is the ideal next appointment for him following Watford, as he can hone his craft as a head coach away from the second tier spotlight at a club who have a great shot at promotion.

Cleverley’s Championship experience far outstrips Muslic’s, which would be a major benefit to the club next season, if the former Manchester United midfielder can mastermind promotion from League One in his first campaign.

He arrives with a comparable managerial record to Muslic’s. However, the sample size for Cleverley depicts one full season in management, whereas for Muslic, the last term was his seventh year in a dugout.

The 35-year-old left Vicarage Road with a respectable record, especially considering it was his first role in management, after he was given the Hornets role permanently in April 2024 following Valerien Ismael’s departure.

Cleverley’s nature as a young head coach could be seen as a gamble by the Argyle hierarchy by some supporters.

However, given the commendable job he did at Watford in his first role in management and the way Cleverley conducts himself, the Green Army should be extremely excited for the third tier campaign ahead.