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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tom Cleverley guarantees Plymouth Argyle loyalty and hard work
Tom Cleverley has guaranteed Plymouth Argyle will get loyalty and hard work from him and his backroom staff after his appointment as head coach on a three-year contract. Cleverley also declared he was aiming for 'long-term success' with the Pilgrims during an interview with Argyle TV, which was filmed at the Harper's Park training ground on Tuesday. The Argyle squad will get their first opportunity to meet Cleverley when they report for the start of pre-season on Friday, which will see them put through a series of fitness tests. Advertisement "Very honoured, really proud," said Cleverley, when asked by Argyle TV's Charlie Price how he he felt about being the club's new head coach. "I think you see the size of the club when you are sat here, the quality of the facilities, the size of the stadium in the background. READ MORE: Adin Osmanbasic, Eddie Lattimore follow Miron Muslic to Schalke READ MORE: Truro City vs Plymouth Argyle ticket details for pre-season game "As soon as I connected with people at the club I knew this was a really great move for me in my career and I feel like we are both craving real longevity now and stability, and that's something Argyle brings me. I can't wait to get started." Advertisement Cleverley lost his job as Watford head coach at the end of last season after leading them to a 14th place finish in the Championship but was not out of work for long. The former Manchester United and England midfielder was appointed by Argyle last Friday and has been followed to his new club from Watford by assistant head coach Damon Lathrope, first team coach Matt Bevans and analyst Chris Douglas. Long-serving first team coach Kevin Nancekivell and goalkeeping coach Darryl Flahavan will continue in their roles at Home Park. Cleverley is already well aware of the passion of the Green Army for Argyle after his experiences when he served a touchline ban for Watford's 2-2 draw against the Pilgrims at Home Park last November. It was a game in which former Hornets' striker scored a last-gasp equaliser for the hosts. "I was suspended that game so I was really in amongst it," said Cleverley. "I saw Andre Gray's equalising goal go in when I was heading from directors' box to tunnel so I was as in amongst it as you can possibly get. Advertisement "Although I was at the opposite end, I understand how important the atmosphere can be, how can good it is here, how passionate people are, and ultimately how much the football club behind us really galvanises this community." Argyle's choice of Cleverley as the successor to Miron Muslic, who abruptly left to join German club Schalke at the end of May, has been greeted with near unanimous approval from the Green Army. Cleverley said about that: "I think the longer you spend in football the more you manage to block out external noise but we are human beings, of course you would want a positive reaction rather than a negative one. "I think you will know by my inactivity on social media I'm not really one who's going to be sifting through it but what I can guarantee the football club and its supporters is there will be an incredible amount of hard work from me and my staff to make sure this is a success - not a short success, not a medium success but a long-term success. Advertisement "We are a loyal group, we are a very hard-working group and in my opinion we are a technically and tactically very good group, but that's for us to prove. The other two things we can guarantee, that is loyalty and hard work." Cleverley added: "I love how well balanced and stable the club feels. That was both looking at it from the outside but when you meet Simon (Hallett, owner and chairman), when you meet David (Fox, head of football operations), when you meet Andrew (Parkinson, chief executive officer). I really felt well aligned. "Of course we are in a results industry, we are in a short-term results industry, but there has to be a longer term vision, a real process to bring you success and stability, and to make sure your performances are sustainable. I think Simon is someone who really understands that part of it. "Listen, no-one loves winning football games as much as me and we will prepare to win absolutely every single game, but we will also prepare something that I feel will give us a real long-term stability and success, and an exciting journey." Advertisement Cleverley began his coaching journey as under-18 lead coach at Watford in June 2023 before taking temporary charge of the first team in March 2024 after the dismissal of Valerian Ismael before being appointed on a permanent basis the following month. "Academy football is an unbelievable grounding for a coach," said Cleverley. "In my eight months in the academy, you are the coach, you are the kit man, you are the analyst, you are the secretary so you do everything. "It's a great grounding. In my eight months there I think I coached 70 games and then you get flung into the hot-seat, which I felt as prepared as I could be for. "It was something I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have got a passion for developing people and players, and have got a passion for winning. Those two things are really helpful in the job I'm in. I couldn't recommend more the time I spent in the academy." Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley at the Harper's Park training ground on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (Photo by) Asked what the Argyle players could expect from him as a head coach, Cleverley replied: "First of all, we have to work hard. We have to prepare well, thoroughly. Advertisement "There has to be a strong environment. I have been part of successful teams and I have been part of failing teams. Yes, there is a difference in quality and there is a difference in budget but the over-riding thing is there is a difference in the environment and the culture, and how resilient the group is. "Everything we do has to come from a foundation of that. Be a good team-mate, be a good person, and then after that we can talk technically and tactically. "The players must feel a freedom to express themselves and from there there will be mistakes, and when we have to deal with failures, and that comes back to the strong culture. "There will be a framework and a clarity the players have, but within that they have the right to take risks, to really express themselves and from there hopefully we provide our supporters with an exciting football team to watch." Advertisement On what the Green Army will see from Cleverley's Argyle, he said: "I would expect us to control the football. From that there has to be a purpose, I'm not one of those who wants to control the football because I like looking at the stats after the game and we have had 70 per cent possession. "There has to be a penetration, there has to be a final product, a real purpose to our possession of the football, and from there if that breaks down we are going to counter press hard, we are going to be intense and aggressive. To play like that you have to be fit. "I like to control the controllables and let's start off with intensity and aggression. I think when I talk about preserving the atmosphere and the connection we have with our Argyle supporters then that's a good place to start." With pre-season about to begin, Cleverley could not hide his excitement at the prospect of getting to work at Argyle. "I can't wait," he said. Advertisement "I will have to be honest, as a player I didn't always look forward to seeing the grass again after six weeks off. As a coach I miss it after three days. This is why you do the long hours, this is why you don't retire as a player and just play golf. "The smell of the grass, the sound of the balls, the sound of the studs clattering off the pavement walking up to the training ground, this is football. This is why I absolutely love it and I can't wait to meet the players, meet the supporters and get to work on the grass." You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tom Cleverley reveals message from Wayne Rooney after former Man Utd star named new Plymouth Argyle boss
WAYNE ROONEY gave a glowing endorsement of Plymouth Argyle to new boss Tom Cleverley. Former England and Manchester United ace Rooney played alongside Cleverley at Old Trafford and won the 2013 Premier League together, while the pair also played for the Three Lions. 4 4 Cleverley replaces Miron Muslic at the League One club and the 35-year-old says ex- Argyle manager Rooney, who spent seven months at Home Park, gave him the thumbs up to take on the job. The former midfielder, in his second managerial job after being in charge of Watford last season, said: 'I spoke not just with Wayne but other people who I know that have played for or coached at the club. 'He gave the club and the place a glowing reference and he's obviously someone's opinion that I can trust. 'I played with him for many years and I think it's important that I did some references, but most of all is what I see now through my own eyes. 'That will really start on Monday when I get on the pitch with the players and I make my own judgements, but I like to thoroughly research whatever I'm about to dive in to and the references were glowing.' Cleverley is the fifth permanent Argyle manager in the last 18 months and will have a fresh start at the club following relegation from the Championship. Argyle chairman Simon Hallett is looking for new investment, and the club was linked with a takeover that included former Wales captain Gareth Bale among their consortium. But Pilgrims CEO Andrew Parkinson said: 'That was speculation and we're not in a position to talk about individuals or investors. When we have got the opportunity we will do that." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 4 Argyle have confirmed their first signing under Cleverley, recruiting former Arsenal starlet Xavier Amaechi. The ex-England youth international, 24, joins on a three-year deal from German side FC Magdeburg. Upon sealing the deal, boss Cleverley said: "Xavier is a quick and exciting winger who will add further competition to our forward options. "He has good European experience having played in Germany, and returns to England a more rounded player, but he is still young and has so much room for growth and development. "He showed a real desire to be a part of Argyle and I am delighted to welcome him to the club." Amaechi is the Devon side's fifth summer signing; with Jamie Paterson, Caleb Watts, Jack Mackenzie and Bradley Ibrahim having joined prior to Cleverley's arrival. 4
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Plymouth Argyle confirm managerial appointment after Watford sacking
Watford manager Tom Cleverley applauds the fans after the Sky Bet Championship match at Vicarage Road, Watford. Picture date: Saturday March 29, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Watford. Photo credit should read: Ben Whitley/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: (Image: Ben Whitley) Plymouth Argyle have appointed former Manchester United and England midfielder Tom Cleverley as manager for their return to League One. The Pilgrims' two-year spell in the Championship ended last summer, relegated alongside Cardiff City and Luton Town. Advertisement Miron Muslic helped the Devon side rally and take the fight to the final day, famously knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup, but departed last month in favour of joining German giants Schalke. Ahead of pre-season, Plymouth have confirmed Cleverley has accepted the role, stepping straight back into the managerial role after his controversial sacking at Watford. Popular as a player and manager at Vicarage Road, the former midfielder led the Hornets to a 14th-place finish in the Championship and was let go by Gino Pozzo. Chairman Simon Hallett commented: '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. Advertisement '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 fully invested in our long-term plans and will play a key role in helping us achieve them. '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.' Reading will find out when they face Plymouth- a first league meeting in over 15 years- on Fixture Release Day on June 26.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Tom Cleverley appointed Plymouth manager a month after Watford sacking as he beats ex-England team-mate to job
TOM CLEVERELY has been announced as the new Plymouth Argyle manager. The former Manchester United star beat out Jack Wilshere to be awarded with the job. 2 2 Cleverley was available after he was sacked from his job at Watford due to missing out on the Championship playoffs. He has signed a three-year contract with the Pilgrims and will be aiming to get the club back into the second flight. Chairman Simon Hallett has hailed Cleverley's arrival in the dugout following the controversial exit of Miron Muslic. He said: "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. "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 fully invested in our long-term plans and will play a key role in helping us achieve them. "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." The club was relegated from the Championship last season under Muslic. The Austrian had taken over from Wayne Rooney midway through the season. Despite an upturn in form, the club fell short of survival by just three points as they finished 23rd. The club had hoped that Muslic would remain in his position for the next season but he left for 2. Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04. His exit was confirmed by Argyle on social media with a blunt 13-word statement. It read: "Miron Muslic has left Argyle to join 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04." More to follow... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
New York Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Tom Cleverley in advanced talks to be Plymouth Argyle head coach
Plymouth Argyle are in advanced talks to appoint Tom Cleverley as their new head coach. Plymouth — who will play in League One next season following relegation from the Championship — have been seeking a replacement for Miron Muslic, who joined German second division side Schalke last month. Muslic, who led Plymouth to the FA Cup fifth round including a fourth-round victory over Liverpool, had himself only been appointed in January to replace Wayne Rooney. Advertisement In May, Cleverley parted company with Watford, his first managerial position, at the end of the 2024-25 campaign after 14 months in charge. The former midfielder won 20 of his 59 matches in charge at Vicarage Road, with the club finishing 14th in the Championship last season — 11 points off the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League and eight points clear of relegation. The 35-year-old — who was capped 13 times for England — retired from playing at the end of the 2022-23 season and had coached Watford's Under-18 team prior to coaching the first-team following the dismissal of Valerien Ismael. Cleverley made 146 appearances across seven seasons at Watford, having previously played for Manchester United, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Everton in the Premier League. ()
