Tom Cleverley - Head Coach

Not sure on Aranald’s character but would appear from the outside a spy has been sent in to camp. Historically the Giraldi/Giaretta role of watching training and reporting back to the owner.

 

Tom personally requested the appointment of the assistant manager from six years ago, who he started nine matches under, to the fold. Welcome, *checks notes* Zigor!

 

This one's got more info on it...

https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2025/january/29/coaching-update-robbo-role-change-zigor-arrives/

 

Fixed.

 

Seems to have gone from the site

 

They’re having issues with the site at the moment, posted about it this morning

 

in part

Former Watford defender Robinson will now become a key part of TC's opposition analysis work.

“There's a few factors involved, very much including family considerations, so Robbo and I discussed how he could remain closely involved with our group,” explained the Hornets' Head Coach.

 

“This option means he's still very much part of our team for now - just not quite so visible to supporters on matchdays.”

Maybe a hint there from Our Tom.

 

I know we all love Robbo but removing the emotion, maybe this makes sense? He’s never overseen a promotion, in fact I think Birmingham got relegated and that was his last job?

The constant change is annoying and yes he’s probably a Pozzo spy but putting aside sentiment not sure Paul Robinson is a huge loss from a coaching POV, none of our full-backs have improved that’s for sure!

 

Pozzo flexing his muscle in the most ‘small man’ way possible.

Don’t believe the stated reasoning - this is a move because Gino is butt-hurt because of the last week. Nothing less.

 

In pozzo we trust.

As Burnsy says, Pozzo is just lashing out. He wanted to sack everyone, but didn't expect the backlash from within or without. Now he's showing that he can still sack/demote someone and he's the big dog.

There's absolutely zero strategic reasoning behind this. It's to put a Pozzo stooge into the central coaching camp and show Robbo, Dux and the fans that Gino is still a big man.

 

I’m not sure Aranalde is necessarily a Pozzo stooge.

But what I would say is that had TC been sacked, then Robbo, Lathrope would have gone with him. That would have left that Real Madrid bloke as the only bloke left standing and he has zero experience in any capacity to step into the head coach role, even temporarily. Aranalde shores that issue up for Gino if/when it arises down the line.

And the fact he’s Spanish, along with the Real Madrid guy, it’s a not a stretch to say that any potential incoming Spanish Head Coach has a welcoming environment awaiting him.

 

It's pretty shocking that Paul Robinson hasn't been able to turn Larouci into an Andy Robertson clone in 3 months.

 

100% correct. Someone said on here last week that Robbo was very vocal to the owners about the way they operate and how it's wrong to keep sacking managers, guess who's being removed from position now?

Gino hates dissidents.

 

The only surprise was he hasn't been sacked. Although being put onto "special projects" is usually one step before that happens.

 

Robinson hasn't improved us at all since arriving, I'm not disappointed to see him demoted.

 

Pozzo's trigger finger got itchy, and he had to squeeze it at someone.

Might mean he is more relaxed to dust the check book off now.

 

Don't disagree in front of the CoGs, please Burnsy. Let's show a united front.

 

Like I said, I’m a maverick. Hard to control. The crazy one in the wrestling faction that no one quite trusts.

 

Tom doesn't want you m8

 

I am inevitable.

 

Burnsy be Burnsyin’

 

Dunno what this guys pedigree is but TC clearly needs help in defensive gameplay and tactics . Let’s hope this guy can help

 

If that true then no doubt Il Duce would be ordering the firing squad on Robbo.

But tbf the defence has looked even worse since Robbo arrived , and it wasn’t great before

 

The article literally says Robbo had little to do with working with the defence, so this line of criticism seems misguided.

 

As pointed out before, we looked worse since Cleverley sidelined the Spaniards in favour of good ol' "Robbo" (who had zero record of success as a coach).
This decision wasn't a surprise, and could have been the only way to save Cleverley from himself and keep him in the hot seat.

 

Has the defence ever done alright? We've kept 6 clean sheets in 30 games.