Tom Cleverley must achieve one thing at Watford or face inevitably ‘harsh’ sacking

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EFL Analysis has exclusive information on the future of Tom Cleverley amid talk of the 2025/26 season at Watford.

His Watford side have had a strange 2024/25 season so far after a blistering start to the campaign and inconsistency creeping into the last few months.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57
7	Bristol CityBristol City	38	14	15	9	49	41	8	57
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	38	15	9	14	57	48	9	54
9	BlackburnBlackburn	38	15	7	16	42	40	2	52
10	WatfordWatford	38	15	7	16	47	51	-4	52
11	MillwallMillwall	38	13	12	13	37	39	-2	51
12	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	38	14	9	15	53	59	-6	51
13	NorwichNorwich	38	12	13	13	60	54	6	49

A run of four wins in the last 15 league games threatened to derail their play-off hopes entirely, but three of those came in the last five and has offered hope ahead of the top six run-in through to May.

Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can reveal the chances of Tom Cleverley being in charge next season and potentially in the long-term as well, with one caveat.

• READ MORE: Bristol City become dark horses for promotion this season as they look to end decades-long exile from top flight

Tom Cleverley’s future at Watford

The ex-England midfielder knows the club more than most after featuring 181 times for Watford as a player between 2017 and 2023, with Cleverley continuing to win the hearts of fans since taking over in the dugout a year ago.

That broke records for Watford and Cleverley, with many supporters happy with the work that has gone on at Vicarage Road whatever happens from here. It has to be seen as a positive season and perhaps that could lead to a change in how the Pozzo family typically operate.

EFL Analysis expert Graeme Bailey has offered the latest exclusive information on the situation and how likely Cleverley is to see out the season and potentially continue longer-term after talk of him getting the sack not long ago.

Bailey said: “Tom Cleverley has signed a new deal, but to be fair at Watford, when are you safe? It is pretty much the culture at the club.

“They back their manager to succeed and, if it is not coming, they will act and Cleverley knows that. He goes into the summer knowing it’s play-offs next season or he’s gone, no doubt about that.

“While that seems harsh, Watford are a big club, with owners who back them as well, meaning they really should be in the mix every year.”

The relief for Watford fans will be hearing that it is likely there will be stability for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, and many will be glad to hear Cleverley should be given a chance to continue his impressive rebuild next season as well.

• READ MORE: How one wild misunderstanding and a Troy Deeney ultimatum cost former Watford manager his job in 15 minutes of chaos

Tom Cleverley’s record in charge of Watford

With Cleverley in charge, there is clear harmony around the club that needs to remain for this season at least, regardless of what happens over the next two months.

For many Watford fans, Gino Pozzo should look to extend Cleverley’s current deal even further to keep that togetherness rolling into next season. However, it is likely that there will be further key departures and big-money sales without promotion — especially given the quality of Giorgi Chakvetadze.

If they sell more vital players, then expectations must be adjusted accordingly. For now, their focus is on the play-off picture and the upcoming fixtures which could be season-defining at the business end of the season.

That said, they should not define what happens next for Cleverley, who has done incredibly well in difficult circumstances at Vicarage Road.