Cleverley was sacked after leading Watford to 14th in the Championship this term
The new man has been tasked with achieving promotion back to Premier League
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By PA and LEWIS BROWNING
Published: 15:25 EDT, 13 May 2025 | Updated: 15:25 EDT, 13 May 2025
Watford have announced the appointment of Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach a week on from sacking former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.
The 42-year-old Uruguayan succeeds Cleverley, who was sacked on May 6 following the Hornets' disappointing 14th-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship.
Cleverley, 35, who made 79 appearances for United between 2011 and 2014 and won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson's last season, joined Watford as a player in 2017 and spent the final six years of his career at the club.
He then took up an academy coaching role before replacing Valerien Ismael as manager last March, initially on an interim basis.
Cleverley, who also won 13 England caps, took charge of 52 Watford matches, winning 19, losing 24 and drawing nine.
Watford failed to win any of their final five matches, with a 1-1 draw on the last day against Sheffield Wednesday ending a run of four straight defeats. The club have now turned to their latest boss in a bid to improve their fortunes.
Watford have appointed their latest manager after sacking Tom Cleverley a week ago
Cleverley was let go after leading Watford to a 14th-place finish in the Championship this term
Cleverley won the Premier League with United in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in 2012-13
New man, 24-year-old Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano, becomes the Hornets' 18th boss in the last 12 years
Pezzolano becomes Watford's 18th permanent boss since Gianfranco Zola left in December 2013.
He began his managerial career at Uruguay's Torque City, and after spells in Mexico and Brazil he took over at Spanish club Real Valladolid, earning promotion to LaLiga in 2024.
'Paulo has a hugely-impressive track record working with young players, which is essential when you look at the age profile of our squad,' Watford sporting director Gian Luca Nani told the club's official website.
'We believe Paulo is the leader we need as we refocus ahead of the new season. He is fully aware of our ambitions and determination to push for promotion, and embraces that challenge.'
On Cleverley's departure, Nani said: 'We thank Tom for his service – not just in his role as Head Coach but for everything he has given Watford as a player and member of staff.
'But 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 this season.
'It has been a privilege to work closely with Tom; to understand how he sees the game and his enthusiasm for everything here. He deserves to be recognised for this and I’m sure he will have a bright future in the game.
'Tom will always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years.'
Football League ChampionshipWatford