Tom Cleverley may have been a surprise appointment, but there’s no question now—he’s earned his stripes.
After guiding Watford to the brink of the play-offs in his first full season in charge, former Premier League midfielder and pundit Lee Hendrie has called on the club’s hierarchy to properly back the 35-year-old in this summer’s transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie praised the Hornets’ young boss for steadying the ship in a season that many had tipped for disaster.
“Yes, I think he should be [backed],” Hendrie said. “He’s done a brilliant job this season.”
And it’s hard to argue with that. After last summer’s mass exodus—including talents like Yaser Asprilla and Ismael Kone—and a modest recruitment campaign, Watford still found themselves fighting in the top half rather than at the bottom. No one expected a play-off push, yet Cleverley had his team challenging into the final weeks.
Hendrie pointed to Watford’s turbulent history of chopping and changing managers—something that has cost the club dearly over recent seasons—and insisted Cleverley is the man to finally bring long-term stability.
“The chopping and changing of managers hasn’t been healthy. I think Tom’s done a brilliant job. Probably hasn’t had the money to go and bring loads of players in, and I feel this summer they need to go and invest.”
Watford’s 2024/25 Transfer Business So Far
Watford leaned heavily on youth and bargain deals last summer, with a mix of permanent signings and loans—many from Pozzo-owned clubs:
- Permanent arrivals: Rocco Vata (Celtic), Pierre Dwomoh (Royal Antwerp), Kevin Keben (Toulouse), Kayky Almeida (Fluminense), Egil Selvik (Udinese), Antonio Tikvic (Udinese), Mamadou Doumbia (Black Stars), Moussa Sissoko (FC Nantes), Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)
- Loan deals: Caleb Wiley (Chelsea), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Yasser Larouci (Troyes), Vakoun Bayo (Udinese), Daniel Jebbison (Bournemouth), James Abankwah (Udinese)
While those moves showed intent to build for the future, Hendrie believes a step up in ambition is now required.
“Tom’s the right person, the right fit for the football club. You can see that any time he comes across in his interviews. He’s well thought of, and I really feel he should be backed in the summer.”
Cleverley Has Changed the Narrative at Vicarage Road
Watford finished 15th last season with 56 points—Cleverley’s side hit that same total with five games still to play this year. The improvement is clear, and more importantly, so is the atmosphere. He’s brought a culture of accountability and belief back to the dressing room, along with a consistent tactical identity.
This summer is a crossroads. Watford can either double down on their progress by giving Cleverley the resources he’s earned—or fall back into the short-term cycle that’s held the club back for years.
If the Pozzo family are serious about promotion, then Hendrie is right—now is the time to back Tom Cleverley.
In other news, “A Complete Guess!” – Furious Cleverley Slams Ref Over Controversial Red Card in Watford Defeat
