I just happened to call for Sherwood the day before he was appointed, at the time.
So I got lucky, it was as simple as that.
It was just the logical suggestion and I don’t profess to have any insider knowledge.
But it now seems the manager I suggested a couple of weeks back, Nigel Pearson, who is definitely Marmite, is the current favourite for the job.
You can put money on the fact that I can’t make two consecutive calls correctly.
The truth is I normally struggle to pick my nose, let alone make this sort of prediction.
So Pearson coming in, is almost certainly wrong.
But at the same time, the media are happily running with the story and I find it interesting.
It’s also interesting that, from what I’m seeing, the Telegraph, the Guardian and the Daily Mail all put this online within a couple of minutes of each other.
So it’s probably rubbish, aimed at us all liking a bit of speculation.
It’s exactly why I can’t really be doing with it all.
But still the logic applies.
He has the experience in promoting Leicester and most of their current team were his.
He seems as tough as old boots and will sort the squad out.
And he’s British, which is seemingly the biggest pre-requisite.
Oh, I forgot.
Most importantly, he’s out of work, so will be cheaper.
Which leaves Pearson and Moyes as the main current contenders in my book.
And given Moyes will no doubt have much higher demands, Pearson remains my best bet for now, until the spotlight hits someone else.
The story is made a bit more spicier, as it suggests that Pearson has his new no 2 lined up, in Chris Powell.
Which supposedly answers the fact that all Pearson’s backup team are going to sign new contracts with Leicester.
Who’s Chris Powell? I ask myself.
Well, he played under Pearson (and I do vaguely remember him) and got sacked as manager by Huddersfield.
Sounds about the right sort of choice for us then, doesn’t it?
Not that the no 2 matters that much, but it’s hardly inspiring, is it?
What happened to the days when we tried to get winners in?
It’s all a game isn’t it?
But there’s one thing I do know for sure.
There’s no way on earth any of the media will know anything for sure until the deal’s done and pretty much announced.
I find myself highly uninspired with all the managers that are being mentioned, tbh.
The only ones that might make me sit up would be Moyes and Rodgers.
With Pearson, the next best.
I just don’t see us gambling with the likes of Dyche etc.
I wonder if Deadly might have some say?
He picked some duds, but also some very decent managers.
For once I agree with you Badger all managers we are linked with are underwhelming. Though like you I think Rogers is the best but getting promotion is a specialised job which is why Pearson unfortunately is favourite. The problem is if (and it’s a big if) we got promoted then we are stuck with him in the prem. Whereas I think Rogers would do a better job in that dept. Just hope Powell the guy is useless and I know that for a fact
Buck Rodgers?
You pair must be having a giraffe, a playing career that started at Ballymena United and lead to the giddy heights of Witney and Newbury Town(s).
Did f**all at Watford and got the heave oh from Reading in all but name after just six months and amassing an underwhelming win rate of 26%.
Then Swansea, the house that Roberto built.
There for two years (and just happened to inherit a Swansea team that played this so called free-flowing football) before he had the good sense to jump ship before the bubble burst and just how he got the Liverpool is beyond me, he never had and was never going to win anything.
The guy’s (imo) a master of self promotion, the last thing we need. Thanks but no thanks.
I can see that Pearson might do a good job but I’d dread the press conferences almost as much as I did Lambert’s.
Just listen to this as a response to Pearson’s ‘ostrich’ comment –
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02qbr98
Bit embarassing!
Badger, John Percy’s article in the Telegraph is by no means conclusive and Pearson’s recent trips to Notts Forest and Middlesbrough suggests he is returning to football management but with which club? Forest need a new manager and, if reports are to be believed, so will ‘Borough.
Percy is usually pretty accurate but I don’t believe this article tells us anything new other than who Pearson has lined up as his number 2.
Main problem with Pearson (apart from the weird behaviour, strangling etc) is his entire backroom staff are at Leicester and its fair to say they won’t be leaving the PL champions elect.
The last two managers we appointed also didn’t have their first choice backroom staff and look how that worked out. It has a massive impact on training, and I’m afraid Chris Powell is a failure in his last two jobs.
This would be a very poor appointment and yet another mistake
Don’t mind Pearson but definitely not Powell like u say he has useless. I personally know a Huddersfield player who told me the guy is useless and was hated by most in dressing room.
I might be alone here but I think Pearson would be a disaster. He is so volatile that I don’t think he would last long. There again, that seems typical for Villa. I would much prefer Moyes or Rogers as a long term bet. Neither excites me, but I think we need stability as much as anything.
Pearson has championship experience aswell as promotion to his name as long as he gets results on the field I couldn’t give a fuck what he’s like as a person post match etc.all I do know he won’t tolerate player antics/power whatever you want to call it.a big yes from me
I don’t disagree with any of that Giddy. The problem is he doesn’t seem to have access to his previous backroom staff. I just think he will fall out with the club big time and we will be back to square 1.
I’m sure his prior backroom aren’t the only people he requires to be successful if appointed, so due to that his managerial career should be put on ice I don’t think so.
I’m happy for anyone to employ him. I actually like the bloke and his aggressive attitude. I just think it will be a mistake for the club if we appoint him that’s all. Whether he can be successful with different staff around him remains to be seen. If we do appoint I’m I will be behind him and hope it turns out brilliantly. Then I’ll come on here and admit you were right!
DS purely my opinion but I still believe there’s too many on here thinking we’ll get the bollox of a manager even though we’ll become second tier.beggars can’t be chosers seeing to mind
Pearson been stopped in his career after coming through Man utd camp and under the umbrella of Ferguson’s good days, he’s shown his worth with Leicester bringing them into the premier but fell short by sticking up for his son, how can you not find him able to run an control wayward players, to me a strong minded person that would demand his staff to produce results, me get him in now to assess the shit we have.
Personally I don’t think we’re near an appointment yet. If Sunderland & Newcastle join us in the drop there’ll probably be two more big managerial vacancies opening up: Moyes, Rodgers, even Pearson, could all be potential targets for those clubs as well. On the same basis, Fat Sam might become available too…
None of these names really convince me that they’d be up for a fight in the 2nd Division, although perhaps the ‘wild man’/’loose cannon’ Pearson would be most-likely. As for the comments about Powell: a ‘Nr2’ can be important [Clough/Taylor] but in most cases is totally invisible, so I don’t really understand what the fuss is about…
Ardent makes a number of good points. Whilst I suspect the board would like to make an early appointment why would any of the managers named need to make a quick decision over their future? We are not the only fish in the sea, neither are we the biggest catch anymore and Birmingham doesn’t appear to be the most desirable destination football wise.
I’m not entirely convinced by Pearson and would prefer Moyes or Rodgers. However, if the board do manage to secure one of those three before the season’s end given the potential competition from other clubs then it will be a massive statement of intent.
if we get Pearson and all goes to plan and get immediate promotion, how far can he take us, or will it be villa in crisis in the mail again in eighteen months time?when we are looking for a replacement.
Your looking to far ahead mate take every step & all that bollox
It’s an interesting question though; how much of Leicester’s success this season is down to Ranieri, and how much of it was actually put in place by Pearson when he turned them around before the end of last season?
Without knocking Ranieri’s achievement, their revival started last year, with Pearson’s players, etc.
[Having said all of that, I’m still not convinced by any of the names being bandied-about: we’ll need a manager who’s hungry and used to fighting in the lower divisions, rather than someone who’s gotten used to the luxuries of the top flight.
According to BBC Sport live –
‘Gabby Agbonlahor will continue to be absent from the Aston Villa squad, with the striker spending the next two weeks “undergoing a personal fitness programme”.
One foot out the door I hope…
Maybe he’s been placed on a G plan diet.
Hopefully it’s the ‘Get out the f**king door right now and don’t come back’ diet
Lol 😀 maybe
Interesting quote from Black in the Telegraph article in relation to Shabby’s fitness regime quote ‘……and the only SANCTION I could take’ ( my capitals). Very interesting choice of word as sanction implies some form of punishment. OED ‘threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule’
Well unless his contract of employment actually says ‘Thou Shalt Not Smoke’ [dunno, but suppose it’s possible?] then there probably isn’t anything else that they could do to him without getting his lawyers, the PFA ,etc., involved.
The ‘fitness regime’ sounds like a good way of telling him that he’s become a fat useless piece of baggage!
Eric black has no clue, “I’m here to win football matches, not develope the young players”. Well matey that’s where your wrong, at this point in time we are screwed, a number of players will leave so you need to develope the youth and blood some for next season, chump!!!!
Honestly think Black will be out the door soon anyway
i will be surprised if the fat get will ever play for villa again
Lets hope not – How the hell can a professional athlete on £60,000 per week, become so unconditioned he has to be reconditioned – what an absolute disgrace and one of the best examples of how much contempt and disrespect he has for the club that has made the clueless tosser a multi-millionaire.
What a hideous person !
Spot on sir, discusted by it, breach of contract, if I’m not up to my job I get the sack, that’s your job and to not keep in good shape is a joke, it’s all you do numbnuts
Yr spelling just reminded me of an old joke:
A book comes home from work early and finds his Mrs shagging another chap in their bedroom. On this, he runs downstairs followed by his wife who finds him sticking his dick in and out of a pudding.
“What are you doing”? cries the wife. The bloke replies”I’m f*cking dis custard”! (fucking disgusted for this who miss the punch line! 🙂 )
Boom! Boom!!!!!!
A bloke comes home from work…(bloody phones…).
Bum bum, that was dicusting mate. Hehe.
So if one of our own (supposedly) can’t be arsed to get fit and put the effort in what chance have we had all season.
Cheers club captain Gabby now sod off. But i’m sure you will just sit on your fat arse for a couple of years and see your contract out. Tosser.
If the club are serious about ‘re-building’ now, then the end of this season should be Year Zero: they’re altready going to take a massive financial hit, so just bite the bullet and pay-off all the tossers who don’t want to find another employer. Just get-rid, and let’s never see them in a Villa shirt again.
And so say all of us
I agree. There again it’s not my money. Lerner has lost a fortune. A lot of it’s his own fault. Look at Gabby though…£60K a week is just over £3M a year with 3 years of that left to go. That would be one massive pay off, even if we didn’t have to pay all of it. Another 6-10 players on top of that with £1-2M to force them out if there’s no buyers, and that’s easily £10M down the drain. Does anyone really see that happening? Not a chance in hell if you ask me.
How many comments have we heard from the club about how much money Lerner has lost and what do we see already? Cost cutting. A wholesale cull of the players, much as it’s what is probably deserved and needed seems a bit unlikely.
Gabby will stay as no other club will want him unless we pay most of his wages. That might go for a few more as well. We will lose the best players – Ayew for a start, maybe Amavi if he gets fit early enough. I may as well stop there as the rest aren’t good enough for anyone to pay decent money.
I find it hard to see any of this in a positive light.
Like most on here I’d prefer Moyes, but I’d still be very happy with Pearson. He’s had a couple of unsavoury incidents but I’d prefer an honest passionate manager than a media trained yes man.
I understand the concern about his assistants, I’m sure they had significant influence, but he chose them, he decided on the structure of how they operated and I’d back him to be able to do that again.
His greatest strength seems to be judging a players personality. People question whether it’s Ranieri or the players are more responsible for Leicester’s phenomenal season? If theres one thing we’ve learned over the last few seasons, it’s that the players personalities are hugely influential on performance. He was responsible for putting together a squad of fighters who held their nerve in a relegation dog fight and are showing remarkable poise under a very different kind of pressure this season. That was all down to his judgement, recruitment and leadership skills. If Moyes won’t come, Pearson would be miles ahead of Rodgers for me.
Rodgers for me, definitely. His style of football, his recruitment. Not all of those players were down to him, Benteke and such weren’t his signings and I think any new manager will have a big say in who comes in. He’s also not one to cause problems, Pearson isn’t a leader, he’s a bully, who causes problems. Just ask Leicester not once, but twice. Yes Pearson did well at Leicester, but so did Rodgers at Swansea.
What style of football might that be? Oh you mean the tika-taka football already established at Swansea by Roberto Martinez?
Recruitment? The scatter gun approach he adopted a Liverpool? 31 signings including the likes of Balotelli – Borini – Aspas – Marković – Origi – Clyne?
Just the small matter of £75.5m down the pan.
Did well at Swansea? What with 47 points and scoring the grand total of 44 goals conceding 51?
I really don’t get this Rodgers love in.
I agree mate – I remember watching the Liverpool documentary and him telling the players “I have 3 envelopes and in them are 3 names and these 3 names will disappoint me this season”…… It was like watching David Brent become a football manager… I would choose Moyes then Pearson, but lets face it, they may not want to come and Randy will go for a cheap option anyhow.
Mate,no one can deny Liverpool cane close to winning the league under him but imo that was more to do with one Luis Suarez than his ability as a manager.
The last thing we need in a physical league like the Championship is someone who wants to turn into a poor mans Barcelona playing the beautiful game.
*came*
Couple things here:
First off, you do know they had a transfer committee right? Not every purchase was his choice and I have huge doubts Balotelli was.
Origi and Clyne are far from wastes of money. Clyne’s a fantastic RB and Origi is coming into his own pretty well. Aspas is proving he’s quality, despite maybe not being suited for the Premier League, I’d take Markovic at Villa all day if we were a Premier League side next season. Borini was very good at Swansea under him, he’s not Liverpool quality, no.
Second, set up by Martinez. The man who was terrible at Wigan in terms of transfers, gd and getting them relegated? Or the man that has a very talented Everton side 12th in the table and every single Everton fan wants him gone?
Yeah, because I remember Pearson getting Leicester in the top 10 with a strong gd and not struggling. Oh… Wait… 46 scored, 55 conceded and fortunate as hell they went on an incredible run or he wouldn’t even be mentioned by fans. I guess as Swansea’s first season in the league, 11th can be considered awful…
Anyone with any sense would think twice about coming to Villa, this is why Lerner stept back, he is the fly in the ointment, all what’s being said is supposition, we will end up again with a desperate manager that will come only for a Job and not a career and unable to give us fans what we want, I bet that even now the club have tried and failed to even get interest from players, and job seekers, I’ve been told 100 people down Villa have lost their jobs,anyone know?
It’s wrong Bill that one player on our books that (but never plays) probably takes home more in a week than three of these poor sods earn in a year combined and they’re the ones that suffer.
I believe things are going to be different this time around Bill. We’re a much better proposition now we’ve got serious football people making the decisions. In a strange way I think we’re a more attractive option now we’ve been relegated than we have been for a good few years.
I do hope so Holtender, its that nothing’s coming back to us fans.
It’s been a nightmare mate. We’ll have a couple more bumps along the way yet, but I think we’ve bottomed out. Hopefully your grandkids will have a lot more to cheer about in the coming seasons.
I’m with you BWS on Rodgers, apart from Clyne and Origi, I would crawl over broken glass to have those two in our team, both cracking players for me.
Not Coutinho then? He did sign a lot of players who haven’t worked out though.
Not all of them were his, a lot of them were Ian Ayre’s and their committee that he implemented under Rodger’s.
Really not sure about Rogers but do we really have a clue as to whether we stand a chance of getting Moyes, Pearson or Rogers?
After all we’re severely damaged goods.
Still fancy Rowett though. He’s done really well in the Championship with a budget all of 2p and he’s young and might be in it for the long haul. Really fed up of seeing managers come and go.
Whoever it is hope we find out soon.
Rey Menaji, Villa tracking him, load of codwollop again from Birmingham mail, and Black on about playing the kids if he thinks they can hack it. Dear me what next.