Tom Cleverley was capped 13 times by England and helped Manchester United win the Premier League in 2013 Plymouth Argyle have appointed former Watford boss Tom Cleverley as their head coach. The 35-year-old has signed a three-year contract and succeeds Miron Muslic, wholeft the club last monthto take over at German side Schalke. Cleverley joins an Argyle side returning to League One this season followingrelegation after two years in the Championship. The former Manchester United and Everton midfielder spent the bulk of his playing career at Watford before succeeding Valerien Ismael as head coach in March 2024. Cleverley wassacked by the Hornetsin May, having missed out on the play-offs after a poor second half of the season as Watford faded badly to finish 14th. His 14 months at the helm was the longest tenure of any boss at Vicarage Road since Javi Gracia's reign from January 2018 to September 2019. In total, Cleverley was in charge for 60 games, winning 20, drawing 14 and losing 26. "Ever since Miron's departure and knowing Tom was available, we identified him straight away as the perfect person to be our next head coach and targeted him immediately," chairman Simon Halletttold the club website.,external "When we spoke to him he was completely aligned with the vision and ambitions of the club and it was clear throughout that Tom was the right fit for us. "He is young, passionate and did a great job at Watford. We are thrilled to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing the impact he has on the talented squad at his disposal." Talks are ongoing regarding who Cleverley will appoint to his backroom staff, with a number of coaches appointed by Muslic still listed on the Argyle website as being on the club's staff. Cleverley could opt to link up again with Damon Lathrope, his assistant at Watford, who has also left the club and spent more than five years in two spells as a player at Plymouth's Devon neighbours Torquay United. Tom Cleverley was unbeaten against Plymouth Argyle in three league and cup games last season - twice facing the Pilgrims when they were managed by former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney Argyle say they had a large number of applicants for the role, with the Pilgrims now on to their fifth permanent manager in less than two years. Cleverley replaces Muslic, who was at the club for four months after succeeding Wayne Rooney in January. The former England captain was only appointed in May last year following the short-lived tenure of Ian Foster, who had replaced Steven Schumacher in January 2024 when he left Home Park to take over at Stoke City. "We were inundated with interest from prospective candidates, which shows how exciting this project is," chief executive Andrew Parkinson said. "But throughout the process, it was clear Tom was the perfect person to take the club forward. "He's been highly sought after, so we are really pleased we have been able to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him build a squad and style of play that will see us challenging at the top end of League One this season." Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport Online Tom Cleverley joins a club intent on returning to the Championship at the first attempt after their relegation last season. Having gambled on head coaches with little positive first-team experience in Ian Foster and Wayne Rooney, Argyle have gone for a man who was well-received during his time at Watford. Despite being Argyle's fourth head coach since January 2024, he is arguably joining a more stable environment for a manager than at Watford - Steven Schumacher and Miron Muslic both left for other clubs while Foster and Rooney's poor records required their removal. Cleverley's major concern will be recruitment and retention - Adam Randell and Ryan Hardie both have 12 months left on their deals, while the club has players such as Michael Baidoo and Rami Al Hajj who struggled to adapt to the English game last season. He will have a decent budget for the level, with owner Simon Hallett saying it is bigger than the club had when they won League One in 2023. But that means the pressure will be on to produce a promotion push - especially with there being no mammoth spenders like Birmingham City and Wrexham in the division this season.
Cleverley appointed as Plymouth Argyle boss
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Tom Cleverley named head coach of Plymouth Argyle after Miron Muslic's departure"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Plymouth Argyle has appointed Tom Cleverley as their new head coach following the departure of Miron Muslic, who left to manage Schalke in Germany. Cleverley, a former Watford boss and Manchester United midfielder, has signed a three-year contract with Argyle as they aim to make an immediate return to League One after relegation from the Championship. At 35 years old, Cleverley brings experience from his playing career where he was capped 13 times by England and contributed to Manchester United's Premier League victory in 2013. His previous managerial stint at Watford saw him in charge for 60 matches, where he recorded 20 wins, 14 draws, and 26 losses, ultimately leading to his dismissal after a disappointing season. Argyle's chairman, Simon Hallett, expressed confidence in Cleverley’s alignment with the club's ambitions and praised his passion and prior accomplishments at Watford.
Cleverley will need to navigate a challenging environment as he takes over at Argyle, which has seen a rapid turnover of managers in recent months. He is Argyle's fifth permanent manager in less than two years, following a series of short-lived tenures, including those of Ian Foster and Wayne Rooney. The club's management has indicated they received a significant number of applications for the role, highlighting the potential of the project. With a decent budget at his disposal, Cleverley faces the critical task of recruitment and retention of key players, particularly with some squad members nearing the end of their contracts. The pressure will be on him to assemble a competitive team capable of challenging for promotion, especially in a league without major spenders this season. His success will largely depend on building a cohesive squad and implementing a playing style that resonates with the players, setting the stage for Argyle’s aspirations to bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The appointment of Tom Cleverley as the head coach of Plymouth Argyle signifies a strategic move for both the club and the individual. Given Cleverley's previous experience and the circumstances surrounding his hiring, this article sheds light on the implications of this decision for the club's future in League One.
Cleverley's Background and Experience
The article outlines Cleverley's playing career, including his time at Manchester United and Watford, which positions him as a figure with a notable football pedigree. His previous role as head coach of Watford, although marked by a challenging season that ended in his dismissal, showcases his potential as a leader. The emphasis on his tenure being the longest since Javi Gracia suggests that Plymouth Argyle is looking for stability in their management.
Club's Vision and Ambitions
The chairman's statement highlights a clear alignment between Cleverley's vision and that of the club. This suggests that Plymouth Argyle is focused on a long-term strategy rather than short-term fixes. The excitement around Cleverley's appointment indicates that the club is aiming to revitalize its efforts after relegation from the Championship, and they believe Cleverley possesses the passion and understanding needed to reinvigorate the squad.
Potential Backroom Staff Changes
As Cleverley considers his backroom staff, the mention of Damon Lathrope, who has connections to both Cleverley and Plymouth Argyle, indicates a desire to build a cohesive team. This could lead to a shift in the club's operational dynamics, which might affect player performance and morale positively.
Community Perception and Impact
The article aims to foster a sense of optimism among fans and stakeholders. By highlighting Cleverley's previous successes and his alignment with the club's ambitions, there is an attempt to create a positive narrative that encourages community support. This could lead to increased attendance at matches and greater financial backing from local businesses and sponsors.
Market and Economic Implications
This coaching appointment may not have immediate effects on stock markets, but it could influence local business dynamics, particularly those connected to the football club. Increased attendance and engagement could lead to higher revenues, which may be beneficial for associated businesses.
Overall Trustworthiness
The information presented appears credible, as it references official statements from the club and provides context about Cleverley's career. However, as with many sports-related announcements, the portrayal of Cleverley as the "perfect person" can be seen as slightly promotional. There is a slight manipulation in the way Cleverley's previous experiences are framed to elicit a positive response from the community.
In conclusion, while the appointment of Tom Cleverley as head coach is a strategic decision aimed at revitalizing Plymouth Argyle, the article emphasizes a narrative that promotes optimism and ambition while potentially glossing over the challenges that lie ahead.