Yahoo Sport 
Two-way honesty and trust is helping to deliver on the pitch
Last season Tom Cleverley was one of the players. Now he is the head coach, albeit on an interim basis.
Although there have been a lot of changes in playing personnel since last season, Cleverley would have been a teammate of many in the squad that he has inherited and just by being around the training ground during his time as Under-18’s head coach he would have got to know the others.
Then, a few weeks ago, he took the step from an ex-teammate and familiar face to the man picking the team, deciding the tactics and making the substitutions.
“It’s a side of the job that I really enjoy, and it is a little bit easier when you know 90% of the guys,” he said.
“I like dealing with players’ emotions, speaking to them and, for me, honesty is the key.
“It’s a trust issue both ways.
“I really enjoy that aspect of managing characters, and not just football players.
“It’s always difficult when you’re leaving one of your mates out, but I was an honest and respectful teammate and I keep the same values as a coach.
“I think all the players can ask is that you’re honest with them, that they can trust you and you’ll always respect them.”
In return for being honest and trustworthy with the players, Cleverley has seen an excellent response on the training pitch and matchdays.
“The players have been magnificent,” he said.
“I was the type of player that every time I went out I gave my absolute all.
“Being a mid-table team with only six games to go it would be easy to be demotivated.
“So it’s our job to not let that happen, but so far we’ve not needed to do anything special. The players have been fantastic.
“The training sessions and the work have been great, and they look like a team in pre-season not one that is coming to the end of a mid-table campaign.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the group, and there have been some real leaders driving that from within like Dan, Wes, Jake, Ryan Porteous and others.
“They have been really good and the challenge for them is to continue that for the next four or five weeks.”
Of course, with only nine games in charge during this interim period, Cleverley will always be asked what feedback – if any – he gets from the owner.
“I speak to Gianluca Nani a lot, and I’m sure those messages go back and forth with the owner and the chairman,” he said.
“But I’m really just focussing on my job day to day, and giving my best to improve the team and improve individuals.
“Wins and results will always help.
“I’ve not put too much thought into the future. Obviously one day I’d like to manage this football club, whether that comes in the summer or further down the line.
“It’s a massive goal and dream of mine, but for now I’m just working as hard as I can to get a win on Saturday.”
With only six league games left of this season, thoughts will soon be turning to who the club might sign, sell or release in the summer.
“Again it’s something that I’ve not thought about too much, because I’m focussed on what we have in the building,” said Cleverley.
“I would love to be part of that process and building a team to challenge next year.
“But honestly, that is all completely out of my hands.
“What is in my hands is preparing for the game and winning on Saturday.”
