Seeing as we’ve only just sacked Bruce, it seems a bit early to be asking this question, as we’re still digesting the news.
But it’s been requested and I suppose it’s going to be the next big subject, so here goes;
Quite simply, who do you think should be our next manager?
I probably shouldn’t say anything, as I really don’t want to lead anyone in any way at all, but my opinion says that any of the supposed candidates are completely rubbish suggestions that will not happen.
I’m going to list all those I’ve seen, but importantly, add A.N.Other
Which is where I’d welcome suggestions.
And I’ve randomised the choices.
Curbishley?
Is he still managing?
Fwiw, I don’t think there’s a cat in hell’s chance it will be one of the old guard.
Our owners are foreigners, so the likes of Mellberg and Laursen don’t stand a chance either, because they don’t really know about them.
A big name such as Henry might well appeal, but I’m sure the owners will know what happened with RDM and I just don’t see it.
No, they’ll go for a Mendez link, imo.
And given that it seems Fonseca is out of the question, I’m guessing it’s more about who we can attract, which means someone we probably know nothing or at best, very little about.
Then again, money talks and our owners have it.
I’m not suggesting that our owners are shady, but let’s just say “incentives”, “bonuses” or even “gifts” can avoid FFP problems and make anything possible.
The bookies in this case know sod all. They have never seen the new owners select a manager, so they have no type to go on. In fact they have a record of just one Bruce, of the sort of manager whose excuses they tire of. Moyes and Allardyce are almost clones.
Moyes vies with Jones of Man Utd in my eyes at the person who looks most terrified by his job in football. He had never managed in England outside the top flight and – I think – therefore never got a club promoted.
We haven’t linked up with Mendez for no reason and what I alluded to in my 11.50 comment suddenly makes perfect sense.
Very naive of me to not see it previously, but maybe it explains how Wolves were signing such good players?
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, I say.
If it’s not going to be John Terry, who I quite like as he knows the club and who I think has got a streak of iron in him, then I’d be willing to give someone else a try.
Somewhere out there is the man who can bring our great club back to the Premier League where it belongs….just wish I knew who the bloody hell he was!
I sincerely hope the board knows.
I very much doubt they do, Pat.
But I’ll bet Mendez does.
I know, I’m going on too much about it now.
But it’s like I’ve just had a Eureka moment! 🙂
Badger, OLL agreed.
I don’t know anything about betting but I always, perhaps naively, thought the market reflected the amount of money placed on any one runner. Always willing to learn.
I have thought all along that the owners were just giving Bruce a fair chance just as there seemed to be a certain time frame where they could then start a clean sweep by doing a Wolves thing.
I said earlier that when the new guy gets here we should all pull together and back him….an update on this is that it does not apply to any of the stupid bookies picks….the old guard has surely ran it’s course in the Prem…off the top of my head is it just Palace and to some extent Man U that are going that way…..
A very big new broom needed….an parts in 68…
As happened in 68….lol
Remember it well – went to the first game under The Doc at Villa Park – happy days!
I have to pull OLL up on his ‘Moyes has never managed outside the top flight’ comment, he did a fine job at Preston, which led to him getting the Everton job, I wouldn’t want him at Villa through.
Thanks DC. Mr Sykes made the same point to me today, but I don’t think Preston were promoted under Moyes – or were they?
No they weren’ OLL
Anyone for Dwight Yorke , first to approach Villa when we saked Bruce.
He keeps applying for the job – he doesn’t give up, I’ll give him that!
Interesting that McDonald said that the new manager might even be at Millwall watching the game.
If true then it means that the Villa board had a Plan B after all. It would also mean that the new manager would have a chance to spend some time with the team over the international break.
I wish they’d hurry up – the suspense is killing me.
Pat, interesting how McDonald’s comments are being reported – it implies, as you say, that the new manager is already selected and has agreed to join – just a matter of next week or the week after (again McDonald’s words) which may also suggest that agreement on compensation has yet to be settled.
As you say – it also suggests that feelers were out in case swift action was needed – all tends to point to ‘a Mendes geezer’
Hitch I wouldn’t disagree with that. Quite ready to give the ‘geezer’ or whoever my full support.
Also interested to see how we play against Millwall. It’s my guess that, freed of the tactical negativity of Bruce and the need for players to impress whoever is taking over, we might actually do well.
Prediction Millwall 1 – 3 Villa and back in the play-off places
Would love to agree with you on the Milwall result, but I seem to remember that each time KMcD’s been caretaker we’ve been woeful…
Newcastle away….gulp!
We won his first game in charge (against WHU I think) as caretaker 3-0 and we all thought this is the true ‘shackle free’ Villa – then came Newcastle! Let’s hope he can do it again for one game.
U23 side on AVTV right now. 3-0 up and looking good.
4 up , nice football its on u tube
I don’t normally watch them Bill, and have just seen snatches here and there this season. Bristol City are outclassed but I like the way we are playing. Lots of confident players wanting the ball, a fast pace, good mix of passing but everything done with intent to get forward. A first team playing that would be fantastic. Corey Taylor, Doyle Hayes, Knibbs and O’Hare look decent. Taylor in particular seems to have the physique to play in the Championship (as he showed when given the chance). Hopefully we will see some more of them under the next manager
DS I’ve watched them when ever its on the box, that is as you say different class to the main team. I’m very impressed the way they want the ball, some good lads in that squad but will we ever see them in the first team.
They look sharp and motivated. I wonder if MacDonald being temp manager gives them hope of figuring for the first team
See that Dean Smith has taken a decisive lead over the somewhat shady sounding ‘other geezer’ with Rodgers running a somewhat distant third in Badger’s poll.
Reports are now suggesting that it’s Rodgers the owners want (Purslow having worked with him at Liverpool ) and the ‘other geezer’ is just a smokescreen LOL.
“other geezer”, lol.
It was all I could think of at the time Hitch.
All I meant was a total unknown.
But it wouldn’t surprise me if a Fonseca type arrives.
With you being a businessman, I’m sure you know how things work at times.
I’m sure I do!
I don’t want to put a damperner on things, but U-23 is not remotely similar to the real game, imo.
In the scheme of things it just doesn’t matter a jot and what’s more important is how players comply with the manager’s instructions.
Which is where attacking players have their instincts knocked out of them and play today’s real game, if they’re to progress, where it’s all about money.
God, listen to me; that’s so depressing.
But think about it.
It’s why I’m a firm believer that our academy is a waste of time.
We’re too big to risk kids failing at the proper level and are expected to go for proven players.
Anyway, new post up.
That’s kind of the point I was making Badger. The best teams at league and international level play to a system at all levels. So Spain U18, U21 and first team play a system. That way any player can make the step up and know how he should play/what is expected of him.
Watching the U23 in this game it is totally different to the first team in pace, style etc. It’s 8-0 now BTW.
Oh and as an aside. Why is the academy a waste of time? It’s because too few get the chance to show if they can make it. Or maybe that’s just me.
It’s a waste of time because we just don’t have that continuity in our game.
The top clubs can afford to risk kids.
Look how many have looked tripe at Liverpool, yet they can get away with it, because of the class in the rest of the team.
The usuals can manage it too, too an extent.
But the rest of the British game can’t.
And sadly, we’re part of the rest.
The British game, which is ALL about money ( remarkably, the Championship is one of the biggest leagues in the world, remember), can’t/won’t take the same risks.
It’s why the game has changed so much since the eighties, imo, where the likes of Forest could do what they did.
We’ll never see that again.
And while I don’t think I’ve nailed it in my explanation, I’m convinced I’m not far off the mark.
I get where you are coming from, but I feel our situation is different. I also feel it’s where the current owners are thinking. I also think Bruce had the opportunity but his purchase/loan of older experienced players at the expense of trying the reserves showed a lack of bravery. Time will tell I guess.