Cleverley's Shock Bounce Back: From Watford Sack to Premier League Talks in Just Days

By Lewis Barnett 18 May, 2025 5 mins read 88 Views

God. Talk about falling upwards. Tom Cleverley's barely had time to clear his desk at Vicarage Road, and he's already being courted by a Premier League club. Life comes at you fast in football management, doesn't it?

I remember watching Cleverley during his Man United days thinking he'd probably end up as a pundit, not potentially managing in teh Premier League before he's even hit his late 30s. But here we are.

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The Watford Revolving Door Claims Another Victim

Cleverley got the boot from Watford earlier this month after failing to guide them to the Championship playoffs. The 35-year-old had only been in charge since March 2024 when he stepped in for Valerien Ismael. His record wasn't terrible - 20 wins, 14 draws, and 25 losses across 59 games. Not exactly setting the world on fire, but hardly disastrous given Watford's, um... let's call it "unique" approach to managerial stability.

My mate who supports Watford texted me when it happened: "Another one bites the dust. I've got milk in my fridge that's lasted longer than our managers." Can't really argue with that.

Southampton Eyeing Up The Ex-United Man

According to The Guardian, Cleverley's got a "strong chance" of landing the Southampton job. Saints are currently limping to the end of their Premier League season under caretaker Simon Rusk after they binned off Ivan Juric.

Juric lasted just 14 games! Fourteen! That makes Cleverley's Watford tenure look like Sir Alex Ferguson's reign at United.

Southampton have two games left before they wave goodbye to the Premier League - against Everton and, well, I assume someone else but the article oddly mentions Southampton playing themselves, which would be quite the fixture.

Wait... Will Still's in the Mix Too?

Plot twist!

Cleverley isn't the only name in the frame. Will Still - that young coaching prodigy who made headlines at Reims - has just left RC Lens and is reportedly in "advanced talks" with Southampton.

Still's departure from France is supposedly partly motivated by wanting to spend more time with his partner, Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders. I spent 3 years in a long-distance relationship back in 2018, and let me tell you, I'd have taken a job flipping burgers to end that misery, so can't blame him there.

His Lens team finished 8th in Ligue 1 and smashed Monaco 4-0 in his final game. Not a bad way to sign off, is it?

The Merry-Go-Round Never Stops

While these two duke it out for the Saints job (with Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl also apparently in contention), Watford have already moved on. They've appointed Paulo Pezzolano as their new boss.

That makes him the TWENTY-SECOND manager under Gino Pozzo since 2012. Twenty-second! I've had fewer hot dinners this month.

I was chatting with a football journalist friend last night who told me: "Watford managers should just rent Airbnbs instead of houses. More economical." Harsh but fair.

Could Cleverley Actually Pull This Off?

The funny thing is, despite his limited experience, I wouldn't be shocked if Cleverley did well at Southampton. Sometimes these ex-players with fresh ideas connect better with modern squads than the old-school types who've been around the block.

Southampton need a complete rebuild after this relegation season. Maybe Cleverley's connections and understanding of English football could be exactly what they need? Or maybe it'll be a complete disaster. That's the beauty of football management - nobody really knows until the results start coming in.

Either way, I'll be watching with interest. From Watford reject to Premier League manager in under two weeks would be some comeback story.

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https://sportingexcitement.com/premier-league/heartbreak-for-lacazette-home-ransacked-during-emotional-farewell-match-with-lyon