Tom Cleverley

Tom Cleverley assumed the position of Head Coach in April 2024 following a short period as Interim Head Coach.

The ex-Hornets captain intially rejoined the club as Under-18 Lead Coach in July 2023 following his retirement from football less than a month earlier.

The former midfielder made over 180 appearances during two spells at The Vic, in a career that spanned over a decade-and-a-half at the top of the game – including 13 England caps.

Beginning his career with Manchester United, Cleverley would go on to feature a total of 380 times for the likes of Aston Villa, Everton, Watford and the Red Devils – where he won the Premier League in 2012/13 – across the top-flight and second-tier.

After being limited to four appearances for the Golden Boys in the 2022/23 campaign, Cleverley announced his retirement from football due to injury before confirming his role in the Academy at the club in the summer of 2023.

He impressed during his time as Lead Coach, guiding the team to second in the Professional Under-18 Development League. Moreover, the Under-17s and the Under-18s both enjoyed cup runs in their respective Professional Development League Cup campaigns. The Under-17s reached the final, whereas the Under-18s bowed out at the semi-final stage.

Having overseen five draws and one win from his seven games as Interim Head Coach in March and April 2024 - five of which coming against teams in the league's top seven - Cleverley was handed the role on a permanent basis ahead of the final two games of the 2023/24 season.