Watford owner Gino Pozzo has been cornered into a humiliating climbdown by fan power - with a show of support for head coach Tom Cleverley. Pozzo faced a massive backlash on social media after multiple reports in Spain that he had lined up former Villarreal boss Jose Martin Rojo to replace fans’ darling Cleverley. And just hours before the Hornets’ game at Coventry, where travelling fans will profess voluble support for the former Manchester United and England midfielder, Pozzo - who rarely utters a peep in public - issued a personal statement.
On the club website, he insisted Cleverley retains the backing of executive chairman Scott Duxbury and the owner himself. Pozzo said: “Scott Duxbury and I have always believed the best possible chance of success this season is with Tom Cleverley as our Head Coach.
“There are always frustrations along the way during any season, but we always identified Tom as a bright young coach who we could work together with to help deliver success to the club. We are committed to support him and look forward to the challenges ahead together.”.
Pozzo’s massive reverse-ferret stopped short of offering Cleverley long-term backing, and nor did it deny that Rojo - also known as Pacheta - had agreed terms to become his 21st manager since 2012. But it hinted at a knee-jerk reaction to Tuesday night’s woeful 2-1 home defeat by Preston, and a poor run in which Watford have collected only four points from a possible 18 since Boxing Day.
Cleverley, who kept the Hornets safe from a tailspin towards relegation when he took over from the sacked Valerien Ismael last March, presided over Watford’s longest unbeaten home run in 48 years. Since the 17-match unbeaten sequence was broken by Cardiff on December 29, three consecutive defeats at Vicarage Road, plus an FA Cup hammering at Fulham, darkened Pozzo’s mood.
