Tom Cleverley ‘Will Want To Prove Watford Wrong’

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Tom Cleverley will want to prove Watford wrong following his appointment at Plymouth Argyle.

The 35-year-old landed his first managerial job at the club in which he 181 appearances during his playing career. He is considered a legend amongst supporters and was a popular choice in the dugout after years of uncertainty.

The Hornets have garnered a ruthless when it comes to their lead position. Cleverley’s dismissal in May was their 21st managerial departure since 2012 and their 11th since 2020, but it was perhaps this one that stung the most.

The former Manchester United and England midfielder had largely overperformed since taking the job. Although form dipped terribly towards the end of last season, he had had to contend with constant rumours surrounding his future, leading to the club releasing a statement in January defending his position.

Still, his reputation remains intact and it was no surprise that he was snapped up by Plymouth Argyle just over a month after leaving Vicarage Road.

Cleverley Has A Point To Prove

Cleverley will embark on his next chapter with Plymouth in League One, who suffered relegation from the Championship last season. Speaking to Football League World, Don Goodman believes he will thrive at a much more stable club whilst relishing the opportunity to prove his former employers wrong, comparing his situation to another ex-Watford boss Rob Edwards:

“I think for Tom Cleverley, read Rob Edwards.

“If you look at what happened with Rob when Watford harshly relieved him of his duties, he went on to take Luton Town up to the Premier League.

“You get the feeling that Tom Cleverley will be better for having experienced life at Watford, where it was a bit volatile. He will appreciate the stability that a club like Plymouth should bring.

“He’s ambitious, and he’s always spoke well. Even when other managers were being linked with his job last season, I remember thinking that he was a classy operator.

“I do think that he’ll want to prove Watford wrong, but I think he’ll want to prove what a great coach he is more than anything else.”

Writer’s View

The merry-go-round at Watford continues and it’s hard to see any prolonged period of success whilst this continues. Although their form towards the end of the season faltered, the owners have to take some responsibility for that due to the uncertainty they created. Cleverley is another in a long line of managers that have departed the club that will go on to prove the made the wrong decision.