Latest news with #Cleverley
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Southampton hold talks with Will Still and Tom Cleverley in hunt for new manager
Southampton's search for a new manager has led them to hold talks with Tom Cleverley and Will Still. Danny Röhl, the Sheffield Wednesday manager, is also in the running for the job. Southampton are looking to rebuild after their relegation to the Championship and are thought to have identified a handful of leading candidates to manage them next season. Related: Everton v Southampton: final Premier League match at Goodison Park – live Cleverley is available following his departure from Watford and is thought to have made a good impression during talks over the role. Sources close to the former Manchester United midfielder believe he has a strong chance of being appointed by Southampton, who placed Simon Rusk in caretaker charge after firing Ivan Juric. Cleverley, 35, is seen as one of the most promising young English coaches. There is competition from Still, who has announced that he is leaving Lens for 'personal reasons'. The 32-year-old Englishman has cited a desire to be closer to his family. Still's girlfriend, the Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, revealed in March that she has been diagnosed with encephalitis. There is a chance Still will land a job when he moves back to England. He has been approached by Southampton and there is confidence that a deal can be struck. There are still details to iron out with Lens before anything can advance. Southampton are also considering Röhl, who has impressed at Wednesday. There are suggestions that the 36-year-old German will look to leave the Hillsborough club this summer. Southampton, who lost 2-0 to Everton in their opponents' final ever men's game at Goodison Park on Sunday, have endured a terrible season in the Premier League. They have avoided setting a new record for the lowest points tally in the competition's history but have otherwise had little to cheer. Russell Martin, who led them to promotion via the play-offs last season, was sacked in December after his expansive style failed to work. Martin's replacement, Juric, was unable to inspire an improvement after his appointment.
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Man Utd star Tom Cleverley in talks with Premier League club over manager job just days after Watford sacking
He is not the only manager in the running for the role CLEVER MOVE Ex-Man Utd star Tom Cleverley in talks with Premier League club over manager job just days after Watford sacking TOM CLEVERLEY is reportedly in talks with a Premier League club just days after being sacked by Watford. The former Manchester United star was axed by the Hornets earlier this month after missing out on the Championship playoffs. 4 Tom Cleverley has been linked with the Southampton job Credit: Alamy 4 He was sacked by Watford at the end of the Championship season Credit: PA Cleverley, 35, took over at Vicarage Road in March 2024 as he replaced Valerien Ismael. But he could be set for a quick return to the dugout with Southampton interested. The Guardian have claimed that he is one of the leading candidates to take over at St Mary's next season. It is suggested that he has a "strong chance" of being appointed as the new Saints boss. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL PEP TALK Pep Guardiola's furious 5-word message to Dean Henderson 'revealed' by lipreader Cleverley has taken charge of 59 first-team games, winning 20, drawing 14 and losing 25. The Southampton team is currently playing under caretaker Simon Rusk, who took charge after the sacking of Ivan Juric. They are a top-flight club for two more games, which come against Everton and Southampton. Juric was only in charge for 14 Premier League games after replacing Russell Martin. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Cleverley does face competition for the job from fellow Englishman Will Still. Still has left Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens following the end of the season in order to move back to England. Football teams that controversially changed their badge 4 Will Still is in the running for the St Mary's role Credit: Getty Still's parting message to RC Lens Here is what Will Still told RC Lens fans about his decision to leave... He said: "I won't be the coach of RC Lens next season. "It was the last season at Bollaert, for multiple reasons. "The main reason that pushed me to make this decision is the fact that I need to go home. "Everyone is well aware of what happened in my life. That's why. "I had a lot of fun, I think we achieved great things despite everything. I've been in France for four years, four years that I've experienced intense moments. "The logical choice is that I get closer to my wife for her well-being too." The manager wants to spend more time with his Sky Sports presenter partner Emma Saunders. His exit came just one season into a three-year deal. Reports have claimed that Still is in "advanced talks" with Southampton over the vacant manager role. In his final game, Lens beat AS Monaco 4-0 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Neil El Aynaoui netted twice while Adrien Thomasson and Anass Zaroury wrapped up the scoring. The victory sealed an 8th-placed finish in the Ligue 1 table. Still has also had interest from Hull City and has previously turned down Rangers. Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl is also believed to be in the running for the job. Meanwhile, Watford have already replaced Cleverley with former Real Valladolid boss Paulo Pezzolano. The Uruguayan becomes the 22nd manager to take charge of the Hornets since Gino Pozzo's takeover in 2012.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Ex-Man Utd star Tom Cleverley in talks with Premier League club over manager job just days after Watford sacking
TOM CLEVERLEY is reportedly in talks with a Premier League club just days after being sacked by Watford. The former Manchester United star was axed by the Hornets earlier this month after missing out on the Championship playoffs. 3 3 Cleverley, 35, took over at Vicarage Road in March 2024 as he replaced Valerien Ismael. But he could be set for a quick return to the dugout with Southampton interested. The Guardian have claimed that he is one of the leading candidates to take over at St Mary's next season. It is suggested that he has a "strong chance" of being appointed as the new Saints boss. Cleverley has taken charge of 59 first-team games, winning 20, drawing 14 and losing 25. The Southampton team is currently playing under caretaker Simon Rusk, who took charge after the sacking of Ivan Juric. They are a top-flight club for two more games, which come against Everton and Southampton. Juric was only in charge for 14 Premier League games after replacing Russell Martin. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Cleverley does face competition for the job from fellow Englishman Will Still. Still has left Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens following the end of the season in order to move back to England. Football teams that controversially changed their badge 3 Still's parting message to RC Lens Here is what Will Still told RC Lens fans about his decision to leave... He said: "I won't be the coach of RC Lens next season. "It was the last season at Bollaert, for multiple reasons. "The main reason that pushed me to make this decision is the fact that I need to go home. "Everyone is well aware of what happened in my life. That's why. "I had a lot of fun, I think we achieved great things despite everything. I've been in France for four years, four years that I've experienced intense moments. "The logical choice is that I get closer to my wife for her well-being too." The manager wants to spend more time with his Sky Sports presenter partner Emma Saunders. His exit came just one season into a three-year deal. Reports have claimed that Still is in "advanced talks" with Southampton over the vacant manager role. In his final game, Lens beat AS Monaco 4-0 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Neil El Aynaoui netted twice while Adrien Thomasson and Anass Zaroury wrapped up the scoring. The victory sealed an 8th-placed finish in the Ligue 1 table. Still has also had interest from Hull City and has previously turned down Rangers. Sheffield Wednesday 's Danny Rohl is also believed to be in the running for the job. Meanwhile, Watford have already replaced Cleverley with former Real Valladolid boss Paulo Pezzolano. The Uruguayan becomes the 22nd manager to take charge of the Hornets since Gino Pozzo's takeover in 2012.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Next Watford manager odds: Former Uruguay boss favourite for Hornets post
By their standards, it's been a while since Watford were looking for a manager... Tom Cleverly lasted longer than most, in the post since April 2024, first as an interim boss before he was given the job permanently a month later. Cleverley was sacked after the club finished a disappointing 14th in the Championship table after losing seven of their last 11 matches. They finished 11 points off the play-off places and are now ludicrously looking for their 22nd manager since 2012. Watford owner Gino Pozzo has revealed that they are targeting an experienced coach this time around after Cleverley, who was in his first-ever coaching role. The good thing about the Hornets role is that there are a lot of different names on the football betting sites so we won't just be talking about the usual suspects of Russell Martin, Gary O'Neil and Steve Cooper, who seem to be favourites for every other job that's up for grabs at the moment. Manager Odds Betting site Diego Alonso 4/7 BetVictor Jose Rojo Martin 5/1 Parimatch William Still 8/1 Parimatch Alberto Garrido 8/1 BetVictor Francisco Jose Garcia Pimiento 10/1 Talksport Bet Sean Dyche 25/1 BetVictor Former Uruguay boss Diego Alonso is the favourite on betting sites for the role at Vicarage Road at 4/7. The 50-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Greek side Panathinaikos in October. He took charge of his country in December 2021, and secured qualification for the World Cup in Qatar after four wins in his first four games. After failing to get through the group stages of the tournament, he resigned. He also took charge of Sevilla, briefly, in 2023 but after eight defeats from his first eight league games and getting knocked out of the Champions League he was sacked. His stock is not exactly high right now and his CV doesn't make great reading but one thing in his favour is that he's used to short-term jobs. The second favourite for the role is Jose Rojo Martin, or Pacheta as he is more well-known. He has a wide and varies managerial career mainly in his native Spain, with spells at Numancia, Huesca, Valladolid, and Elche. He was promoted to LaLiga with both Elche and Real Valladolid. His last role was at Villarreal in 2023, but he was sacked after just two months, following five wins, three draws and four defeats from 12 matches. There seems to be a theme here. Fellow Spaniards Alberto Garrido and Francisco José García Pimienta are also among the favourites, along with rising star Lens boss Will Still, who you would think is unlikely to swap Ligue 1 for the uncertainty at Watford in the Championship. Garrido was appointed first team coach at Watford last summer after 15 years with Real Madrid's reserve team and is 8/1 to make the step up. Pimienta has been out of work since last month when he was sacked by LaLiga side Sevilla. Former player and manager Sean Dyche is 25/1 on betting apps for a return to Vicarage Road but without the previous links, this is not a job you could imagine him taking. The former Burnley and Everton boss, who has been out of work since January, began his coaching career at Watford. He returned to the club he captained as under 18's coach after his retirement and was promoted to assistant to Malky Mackay in 2009. When the Scot left to take charge of Cardiff, Dyche was the natural replacement. He was sacked in 2012, once new ownership of the club came in, despite leading them to their best finish in four years. And we all know what has happened since that change of ownership; the average lifespan of a manager at Vicarage Road is just six months. When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below. NHS Help GambleAware Gamblers Anonymous We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘94 per cent' of Watford fans disagree with Cleverley sacking
The vast majority of Watford fans disagreed with the club's decision to sack Tom Cleverley, according to a Watford Observer poll. (Image: Alan Cozzi/ PA) NINETY-FOUR per cent of fans think Watford were wrong to sack Tom Cleverley, according to a Watford Observer poll, as owner Gino Pozzo hit back at scathing criticism. 'Madness', 'embarrassing' and 'absolutely ridiculous' were among the more sanitary reactions in our various comments sections – giving a flavour of many fans' feelings after his 14 months in charge was brought to an end. While plenty conceded Cleverley must shoulder some blame for a dismal 2025, the vast majority remained unequivocal that firing him was wrong. Even Watford's greatest ever player, Luther Blissett, branded it 'a total and utter farce'. The club's official statement was packed with effusive language thanking Cleverley for his service. It has been a 'privilege' to work with him, they said, and he will 'always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years'. But they added 'the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefitted from the experience of the Championship season'. Within 24 hours of a Watford Observer poll launching, around 3,000 fans said WFC were wrong to sack Cleverley compared to 180 backing the club. Plenty of fingers were pointed at the board with claims that not investing in quality players – particularly in January amid key injuries – was the major reason for Watford's form. Gino Pozzo (Image: Alan Cozzi) Pozzo hit back today (May 7) saying 'we believe we have made the correct decision for the good of the football club. That is the basis for every decision we take.' He added: "Tom is a bright young coach who has a real future in the game, but he needs time to gain experience and in football time is a precious commodity. I felt, to achieve our immediate aims next season, we need a more experienced coach to get the best out of our squad. "Results and performances, certainly after Christmas, were those of a club in a relegation fight and we couldn't allow that momentum to continue into the next campaign.' Responding to a WO survey, Hornets fan Nigel Kemp was one of many to say he thought Cleverley should have been given next season. 'Yes the results may not have been what we wanted, so Tom must take some of the blame, but when he wasn't given any strikers in January – plus the injuries – it mostly lays at the feet of the board,' he said. Cleverley was 'doing the best he could with limited resources', added fellow fan Paul Baker, who claimed WFC having 20 head coaches since 2012 'makes the club a laughing stock'. Pozzo said he has seen the reactions and 'accepts' it, adding: 'I realise there will be some fans who, no matter what we say, are not going to agree with us. This is normal; it's football and I respect that the game is all about strong opinions.' Luther Blissett (Image: PA) Among the most damning reactions was that of club legend Luther Blissett, who voiced disappointment at 'the manner and the way it's been done'. 'Three days after the end of the season, when at the end of the last game Tom has walked around the pitch with his family,' Blissett told the Watford Observer's Andrew French. 'His family are emotionally invested in the club, just like he is. His little daughter was waving to the fans. That family connection is hopefully the lasting image the fans will have of him.' Tom Cleverley (Image: PA) Cleverley signed off with an emotional statement referencing his connection with the players and fans as 'the achievement I'm most proud of', adding he 'wasn't born in Watford or raised in Watford but this honestly feels like home'. The decision brings an end to his nine-and-a-half years at the club as a loanee, player, captain, academy coach and head coach. "To maintain [the] league position and points after selling key players last summer is something we should be proud of, as well as reflecting on why we couldn't sustain our play-off challenge will be something we should all review,' he added. "To the club I'm grateful for the opportunity, the players for their efforts, and the supporters myself and my family will forever appreciate the love and support you have given me on this journey. "I repeat I will be sad that it's over, but full of happiness that it ever happened. And I hope it's not the final time our paths cross. You 'Orns."
