Watford have sacked head coach Valerien Ismael following yesterday’s home defeat by Coventry and placed former midfielder Tom Cleverley in interim charge.

Cleverley, who went to school in Bradford and spent two years in the Bantams' academy before joining Manchester United in 2000, only retired from playing last summer after six seasons at Watford, with this now his first managerial role.

His ascent to the hotseat comes after the Hornets were beaten 2-1 this weekend to leave them 13th in the Sky Bet Championship, well adrift of the play-off places and seven points above the relegation zone.

Ex-Barnsley and West Brom boss Ismael had been appointed in May and signed a contract extension in October, but he has paid the price for a poor run of form.

Ismael was the 20th managerial appointment under the Pozzo family. Of his 41 games in charge, Watford won 12 and lost 15, with 14 draws.

A club statement yesterday evening read: “Tom Cleverley will assume the position of interim head coach at Vicarage Road.

“This follows Watford FC terminating the contract of Valerien Ismael after today’s defeat to Coventry City.

“The Hornets thank Valerien and his staff for their dedication and commitment. However, the club’s board considers it an appropriate time to make a change in order to improve results.

“Tom Cleverley’s staff will be confirmed in due course.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Valerien Ismael oversees Watford's defeat to Coventry yesterday, which proved to be his final game in charge of the Hornets.Valerien Ismael oversees Watford's defeat to Coventry yesterday, which proved to be his final game in charge of the Hornets. (Image: PA.)

After his retirement, Cleverley, who helped United win the Premier League title in 2013, took up a role on Watford’s coaching staff and spoke to the T&A about his burning desire to become a manager one day, even if this interim job has come around far sooner than he expected.

He told us: “I’m working with the young players at Watford now, with my long-term plan being to become a first-team manager at some point.

“I’ve got to get that experience down the pyramid or in academy football first though and gain as much as I can to be ready for the big bad world of management.

“My expertise is in senior football and I have that knowledge and game intelligence.

“It’s something I’d love to give back to others. I’m massively invested in my new role now and I’m here to get those lads ready for Watford’s first team.”