Back at the start of 2017, Tom Cleverley began a second spell on loan at Watford before making the move from Everton permanent that summer.

It was at the point in his career that the midfielder first felt he wanted to stay in the game as a coach when his playing days were over.

“When I came back to the club I was about 27 and there was a squad of many different nationalities, and the young players didn’t have too much help and guidance,” he explained.

“That was when I thought I could really help these young players that are coming through at Watford.

“I’ve got a passion for it, I like the responsibility of it, and I thought that’s everything a coach needs to be.

“My passion for coaching came from there, and I realised it was going to be my next career.

“I didn’t think it was going to develop this quickly but I’m excited about it.”

He played his last game in Watford’s colours on February 11, 2023, little more than a year ago.

“I think that’s where I have an edge also, because being so fresh out of the playing side I can really empathise and put myself in the players’ shoes,” Cleverley said.

“I can think ‘why have they thought that’ or ‘why has he done that’.

“Obviously as a coach I’m inexperienced, and there are obviously downfalls from having a turnaround this quick.

“But there are a lot of positives well as to being so fresh out of the dressing room.”

One step he has already taken has been to add a number of players from the Under-21s to the first-team group, although he says that’s on merit.

“I won’t be promoting anyone from the Under-21s as a token gesture,” the interim head coach explained.

“If they’re ready to train with the first team and I see that they’re ready to help the team and play minutes then I’ll bring them into the group.

“It’s always nice when the club and the fans see homegrown talent and our Academy products reach the first team.

“But there won’t be any token gestures.”

One man at the club who probably knows more than most about developing young players is Jimmy Gilligan.

The former Hornets striker has been hugely successful in that area since retiring, both in club football and with the England team.

Cleverley wanted the knowledge of an older head alongside him, and has made Gilligan his Technical Consultant.

“In the Academy, Jimmy has been a mentor for me and Charlie Daniels, and that’s not going to change now.

“I fully realise I am not the finished article as a coach, and so I use Jimmy’s eyes and ears looking over everything.

“Having him is priceless and it was a no-brainer for me.

“The fact he has the club embedded in his heart and has passion for it, like I have, means we have a good mix.”

As well as Gilligan, Cleverley looked inside London Colney for his coaching staff and has his assistant in the Under-18s, Armand Kavaja, and Watford Women head coach Damon Lathrope alongside him.

“Armand has been working very closely with me all season in the Under-18s, and it’s a dynamic that works well.

“I more look after the team and the structure, and he tries to focus in on the individuals.

“That’s good because we have a lot of young players and we feel he can help develop them with individual work.

“Damo has really impressed me from day one. I’ve not seen much of his coaching with the women but we have a lot of crossovers because my son is in the Watford pre-Academy and I speak to Damo for 20 or 30 minutes before he starts training.

“The way he sees the game, especially tactically, impresses me every time and he was someone I was keen to have on board.”