Well, yesterday’s post almost seems prophetic doesn’t it?
Not that it gives me the slightest amount of pleasure in saying that.
Along with all Villa fans, I’m now filled with trepidation over who the next manager might be.
And along with all Villa fans, I fully realise we may have made a massive mistake.
We’ve had a terrible record of appointing managers ever since O’Neil left in 2010. You could possibly say Houllier was a good appointment, but even he didn’t work out for us, unfortunately.
I think seven managers since June 2011 says it all, especially when you consider Smith had just over three years under his belt.
But mistake or not, it’s a risk we had to take.
The situation as it was just wasn’t good enough.
I accept that some fans think he would have turned it round, given time, but I’m sorry, I just don’t think he would have, at all.
If I thought it was just down to issues on the pitch, I might have been able to agree with that viewpoint. But I think there’s a lot more going on at the Villa than we realise.
There are simply loads of areas where things just don’t seem right, from Terry and O’Kelly leaving, Injuries, talk of dissent, poor tactics and suspected total lack of belief/confidence amongst the players.
When we look back at things, I wonder if we might actually come to the conclusion that it’s surprising we actually kept Smith as long as we did, with all the problems going on.
Slight aside, but I wonder, was that note that got passed round the players possibly saying that the decision had been taken or was notice of a big meeting or something? It wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m guessing. Many fans thought after the game that the players knew Smith was gone, after all.
Anyway, now we have actually made the choice and it’s probably the best time to do it. Knowing how the Villa work, I suspect that the club haven’t done what many had suggested and start the hunt last week. And the hierarchy now have the international break to source a manager and at least give him a few days to have a chance to try and assess what he’s going to be playing with.
And let’s face it, even with our bunch of injuries, it’s a pretty good squad that is better than many other Premier league clubs’ and ought to be in a better position than we currently are.
If you think we’ve made a massive mistake, just think about that for a second.
Think about some of the players we have.
Let’s go through them;
We have Martinez, who’s currently rated one of the best goalies in the world. Cash has just got an immediate call up for Poland. Mings is an England international. Hey , I don’t agree with that, but he is. Konsa is rated by us Villa fans as better than Mings. Targett has been poor, but there were calls for him to get a call up too, last year, remember.
McGinn, Luiz, Trezeguet, Nakamba and Buendia are all internationals, as are Watkins, Traore and Bailey.
Now whatever you think of them individually, it doesn’t matter. Many managers would be drooling at the thought of moulding those players into a unit that can actually play together in a coherent fashion, with a plan and a proper setup that makes the best use of them. The job will involve having a plan B too.
The decision to sack Smith must have been a tough one, given how likeable the man is on the face of things.
I suspect some of it may have been about saving Purslow’s behind as much as anything and I wonder what will happen immediately?
Will Shakespeare and the rest of the coaches go too?
There’s no mention of that and we all know Shakey has played the role of caretaker on more than one occasion. It probably makes sense that we keep him on for a little continuity.
It would be nice to think we’ve done the same as Middlesborough and replaced Warnock the next day, but that isn’t going to happen. They wouldn’t want to make it obvious they’d gone behind Smith’s back and Warnock was hired on the understanding that it was only a temporary thing anyway. He’ll have got a nice fat payoff.
As will Smith, who still has two years of his contract outstanding, let’s not forget. I don’t have a clue what wages he was on and knowing Purslow, it won’t have been top tier, but let’s guess at £35k a week. It adds up to a nice tidy penny and he certainly won’t be worrying about his retirement and old age.
Not that I begrudge him that in the slightest. He gave us some very good times and I for one, appreciate it.
And where does Smith’s sacking leave Lange?
Is he absolved of any blame purely because he was the one who merely got the players in? And it’s not his fault they don’t do a job as a team?
That’s a tough one for me. If he signed Ings, for example, you have to seriously wonder how he would ever fit into a Smith setup. But then, I’ve said before that I believe Ings was purely a distraction from Grealish’s sale; no more, no less. Hence he was probably under orders to make it happen.
Lange is absolved from blame, I suppose. Some of the signings on an individual basis have been pretty good, after all.
So now the big question is who comes in?
I have a name in my head who I think will be able to use our team to at least something approaching the best of it’s ability.
Now he isn’t the ultimate top tier manager, but I don’t think for one minute we’re going to be able to attract one.
Who’s available? We’d have to poach one from another club and I don’t see that at all. We need to be in a better position first.
Which leaves all what the younger fans call the dinosaurs. That definitely isn’t going to happen either.
Or the young bucks such as Lampard and Gerrard. I like Gerrard, but it’s too soon, for me.
No, there’s one obvious candidate for me. He has previous Premier league experience. He knows how to use the counter, that we have been decent at. He can change it up, if needed. Heck, he even knows the area and is available.
Step foward, Nuno Espirito Santo.
Comments
119 responses to “Smith sacked; Will we come to regret this decision?”
Heh, I’ll be interested in thoughts here.
Graham Potter. Given time
I could live with that, but isn’t he a nose?
There are worse choices Badger. Spurs never wanted him from the start so it was always an uphill battle for him.
Is Dyche a dinosaur?
Remember this,
Aston Villa fans suggest Graham Potter would be their pick to succeed Dean Smith after the Brighton boss revealed his soft spot for the club last year. #AVFC
He’s at 8-1 and its my bet . as for Gerrard Terry Lampard please don’t go there…
Villa fans tossing over Potter reeks of them wanking themselves over Lambert at Carrow Road. No, no, and no. He’s won precisely fuck all and is currently on a 7 game winless streak. In fact, I would have backed Smith to beat Brighton in the next game. NO to Graham Potter. Not enough experience or track record to cope with the Villa job. Sorry. Just don’t go there. If the board want year on year progress and want progress on mid-table, it’s time to put money where mouth is and get a manager who has consistently finished top half in the PL – ideally in top 6. Over to you Mr Purslow. As Mourinho once randomly and bizarrely said, if you want a nice omelette, you have to buy the best eggs.
Bill, no offence, but if the moment someone says they have a soft spot for the Villa, we clamour for him to be manager, we may as well get Prince William or Tom Hanks in FFS. I’d rather someone who doesn’t give two shits about the Villa but would rather eat his own testicles than lose a game of football.
BFR, I’m not advocating in saying Potter, but bringing attention to what he said in the past, it’s going to be a hard job whoever’s comes that’s for sure. Someone’s just mentioned Mancini ex Man City to be truthful not a bad shout as he was sacked for the cup game against Wigan he lost. If I remember right , that hurt the City fans.
Thought he was something to do with music – oops my bad 🙂
BFR, 🙂 an interesting choice of words, but 100% correct, imo.
Agreed, Holte. I can’t hold Spurs sacking him against him. As you say, he was never going to be good enough for them and he wasn’t given a chance.
Is Dyche a dinosaur?
I’d say bordering, personally.
The question with him is do you see him as anything other than a middle of the roader?
It’s the same as Potter.
I like both, but neither strike me as winners.
Fwiw, my grandsons want Gerrard. I suspect many younger fans do too.
Not for me yet.
Gerrard wouldn’t be a long term appointment. If he came in and was crap he would be sacked and if he did really well he would go to Liverpool to succeed Klopp.
I need to add my thanks to Dean Smith; he’s brought us some great memories, got us into and kept us in the Prem in his relatively short tenure in office and he’ll always be a Villan.
Gerrard?
He certainly knows the Premier League and what’s required and he’s undeniably done an excellent job at Rangers who are, without doubt a massive club with a demanding fan base. He also has experience in Europe.
But is experience in Scotland sufficient?
You can’t discount him but I think NSWE will go for a more experienced name.
Nuno did well at Wolves starting from a ‘low base’ if I can call it that and built a good side so it would be short sighted to discount him. Using the ‘Badger conspiracy monitor’ have NSWE moved because he’s suddenly become available?
How about that Poll Badger?
Hitch, good idea. I’m looking into putting one up now.
Not Nuno imo. We want someone who isn’t fresh from a sacking. Also he couldn’t inspire the players at Spurs – what makes you think he wouldn’t flat at Villa too?
We need a much better tactician than Smith but who to choose? Who is even available and proven? The owners must have at least a couple of realistic candidates in mind or else they wouldn’t have thrown the dice. It’s always a gamble switching manager mid-season and it could end very badly.
I’m suspicious that JT is just waiting in the wings. He’s a sly one and no doubt still on good terms with the board. It would be a massive risk and could back fire horribly.
It’s finger-crossed time again!! At least this time we know the owners have the dosh to splash out big time – we got to hope they choose wisely.
UTV
If that rumour about Terry encouraging Grealish to go is true, he’ll be lucky to even get through the door.
And good grief, he’d be my last choice.
When is someone in authority in this Forum going to demand adherence to the rules of this place of discussion. Abuse of individual players is not acceptable. I have the choice of ignoring it or going elsewhere.
I’ve deleted the post.
As it happens, I don’t think it was too bad. Football players are always being slated and it goes with the territory.
I thought you were going to ignore this site as of a couple of years back, at least?
But hey ho, I’m glad you’re back.
Oh and it’s abuse of other posters that’s not acceptable 😉
Gerrykidd if that’s a dig at my last post send me your phone number and we can talk about it UTV VTID
Warrior, that’s enough of that sort of talk, thanks.
I think we’re all a bit upset over Smith, but it happens to all managers eventually.
Apologies for my last post out of order got headed moment very sorry Gerrykidd accept my sincere apologise
WARRIOR here you want be hearing from me again I’m jacking in this forum so goodbye UTV still a villain VTID
That’s a shame Warrior – we all understand the emotions that run through football.
Hope you reconsider and post again in the future.
Does anyone know what’s happening with the backroom staff? I read that Shakespeare had gone but nothing concrete.
Interesting question Holte.
Usually when a manager is removed, the club make a statement about who will act in the interim. The OS makes no such reference in their official statement which suggests to me they have a replacement lined up.
Of course I could be way off beam but if they have then it’s likely to be someone currently unemployed.
Nuno.
Roberto Mancini
I’d love Mancini, because he has serious gravitas and could attract pretty much anyone.
I seriously don’t see him leaving the Italian international side for any club side, let alone the Villa, unfortunately.
You never know though. It usually only takes the right size wad of cash and everyone has a price.
The reason I suggested Nuno, is because I think he could play a role in modernising our thinking. Smith was great, but we all know he wasn’t particularly good tactically, didn’t really look like he knew how to change it up or even have a plan B.
I think Nuno could get us used to a more foreign way of thinking.
And then, when he’s done the background work, that’s when we look at a top tier manager to replace him.
Harsh, but it’s a plan.
Or am I in cloud cuckoo land with that thinking?
But then, if Nuno bombs, we look like a right load of mugs.
I don’t envy those making the choice.
I know this sounds immature butit’s really thrilling to see who we get in next, isn’t it? Gerrard or Potter for me, I’d say Steven Gerrard because I don’t think we’ll get Potter however he is a Villa fan so you don’t know. Also, I can tell managers enjoy spending money it must make them feel satisfied with the pick of the bunch of players so we are an enticing pick for managers no matter our recent form and rumours going round as well as the departure of Jack. Therefore I think well have ZERO PROBLEM in appointing a manager. Manager I want: Potter. Realistic: Gerrard. The dream: Rodgers 😭. People I’d take: Fonseca, Hassenhuttl, Nuno, Ten Hag, Denmark manager.{Edited by Badger123. Because it’s not immature Alfie, you just haven’t seen it happen much yet}
Actually, you make a very good point Alfie.
Any new manager will definitely have a chunk of money to spend and that’s better than most clubs.
How many clubs could weigh in with £100 million?
Top six and even then I think you can discount Arsenal from that type of spending. West ham wouldn’t do it either. Nor could Spurs unless they sold Kane and i bet Levy would prefer to pay their debt off.
So we are indeed a good catch for someone.
Potter is both keen on Villa and Bloose. That’s nuts, I know, but I actually know someone who lives a few doors from Shakespeare who’s exactly the same.
It was quite common for midland footy fans to go to watch other sides when I was young. I used to go and watch the Albion, for example (I’m 100% Villa now, no worries), but it’s rare in someone of Potter’s age.
At least you haven’t said Terry.
I just don’t see us going for Gerrard. It’s just a feeling.
Rodgers? Now you’re talking, but why would he want to leave?
I don’t see that either. I get the feeling he’s happy, the fans are ok with him and he’s liked by the owner.
What’s to be gained by coming to the Villa, apart from an already halfway there squad, with some money to spend?
Taking my claret and blue glasses off, I don’t think we’ll go for him.
You’re probably right in saying we can aim higher though. Good call.
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand?
Seriously?
Not for me. Another name who’s done absolutely nothing and not even approached looking good at club level, imo.
We should have a sweepstake on how many names the media throw at it 🙂
They’re saying Lampard in talks with Norwich; thank goodness for that – perhaps Terry will join him 🙂
Hitch, both Lampard and Terry are winners of the highest order. And they’ve learned from masters like Mourinho, Ancellotti, Eriksson, and Benitez, not to mention Avram Grant (kidding on the last one). Add to that their notoriously high standards and the respect they command automatically, the aura they would have in the dressing room, and I don’t see why you and others are so against this. Lampard basically got sacked for giving the Chelsea kids a chance so needed a bit of time; isn’t that the kind of manager we (say we) want??
Gerrard would go in the same category. I’d be happy with any of them in the following order: Gerrard, Terry, Lampard. Whoever gets them will do very well, mark my words. Any of them over Potter, Dyche, Nuno and all the other middle-of the roaders. All three are massive names who don’t know how not to win; their DNA is winner and we’d be lucky to have any of them!
I totally disagree, BFR and I’m surprised you haven’t included Rooney in that list, seeing as he has most of the attributes you mention.
I might consider Gerrard as at least he’s done something. Lampard has at least got a bit of experience. Terry has done nothing at all.
I want an artist, not an apprentice, I’m afraid.
I knew Rooney would be used as a counter-argument, Badger. I didn’t mention him because his stock is already low as a manager. You can’t compare Chelsea and Rangers to Derby. And let’s be honest, he’s not pulled any trees us there, even before their points deduction.
As it stands, Gerrard is a top notch manager and legendary player. As it stands. Lampard is slightly tarnished, ever so slightly. While Terry is untried, fair enough. The more I think about it, the more I think Gerrard would do the business.
BFR, you’re right they are all winners but that doesn’t necessarily make them good managers. The one ingredient they lack is experience and I can’t see NSWE wanting to take a risk in that direction.
Gerrard I could understand but not Terry or Lampard.
Of course appointing any new manager is a risk and it would be fascinating to see the criteria agreed by the Board for the new appointment which I suspect will still be as Head Coach.
Will they want a really big name to make a statement; will they go for a foreign manager with EPL experience or will they ‘left field’ all of us?
At least it’s something interesting to debate over the next couple of weeks.
Final thought – no statement from the club on who takes over in the interim – wonder if Shakespeare has either been removed or resigned or perhaps the club expect to make a quick appointment?
I’ve read a few times now that Shakey has gone. Danks, Cutler and MacPhee’s positions are apparently being discussed.
seriel winners
Steve Bruce, Gary Neville, Alex Mcleish, Roy Keane.Thierry Henry, Brian Robson and hundreds more. Being a great player does not guarantee being a great manager.
I agree Steve, and Badger. But Gerrard’s already winning things at a massive club. And don’t give me first in a two-horse race. If that’s the case, all of Roger’s titles at Celtic are void, as Rangers weren’t even there to compete. Dare I say Rangers are even bigger than Villa, with an even more passionate and demanding fan base. He’s proved he can handle that. So he can handle the Villa, no doubt.
A little anecdote – I recall listening to a Rangers game on 5 Live and the commentators were waxing lyrical about Gerrard because there was an issue with his formation/tactics and he identified it, changed it and fixed it immediately. In other words, he did exactly what Smith didn’t do in his last few games; he reacted quickly; he knew what to do and he did it.
Everyone knows he will want the Liverpool job in the future. But would they offer it to him without any PL experience? I think he will need to do well at a PL club before he can go there. So we’d end up being a stepping stone for him. But I don’t mind that if he gets us back into Europe and wins a cup or two. Then we’ll be able to attract better players and another top manager if and when Liverpool came calling.
I’m telling you, he’d be a tremendous acquisition. That’s my view and I’m sticking it.
* sticking to it
Roberto Martinez
With you on that thirdgenerationvillian. But would he give up the national team to come. Just like to mention Nuno when he left Wolves didn’t take his coaching team with him, it’s said he was a laid back type of manager and that didn’t go well at the club.. now don’t quote me on that, I read it ..
No ta.
Ralph Hasenhuttl .. a definite no from me
I don’t get the anti Terry thing either. Would he be a risk? Of course he would as would Gerrard and Lampard or any manager we end up with. At least JT already knows the players and set up. They all have pulling power in attracting players to the club which is probably more so than Smith. My number one choice remains with Rodgers are Villa a bigger attraction than Leicester?
Because he’s never managed!
We don’t even know what involvement he had in coaching, apart from people totally guessing and assuming our defence was destroyed because he left.
It’s just far too risky and I’m sorry, if we were to get him and it all went wrong, which I’m 100% convinced it would, I’d be first to say “I told you so”.
And anyway, like I said, if that rumour is true he won’t even get in the door.
I’m sure I read earlier that he’s already been ruled out anyway.
I doubt the next manager will be an Englishman out of work. Unless we poach somebody already in a job here I expect a foreigner. Possibly an obscure name, but how many people had heard of Tuchel before he landed the Chelsea job.
There are post sacking comments that Smith did not have the final say in the players coming in. Well he should have done. No manager should take a job where the club directors say they (or another club employee) will buy players that the manager does not want, and expect him to fit them in. I don’t think that was the case with Smith either, I am sure he approved Ings, Buendia and Bailey. It is the players Villa did not buy which have sunk him – midfielders tough enough to compete with those the better teams have.
What’s in a name or, in this case, title?
We refer to Smith as manager but actually his job title was Head Coach and it would be quite interesting to see what his job description was.
As Lange et al are all Directors of the football club were they also his bosses?
Perhaps Smith had a lesser say than we think – I suggest his roll might have been limited to put players forward that he wanted but perhaps he didn’t get the key ones – Ward-Prowse, Berger etc. Or, in fact, any top class defensive mid fielder.
I’m also starting to think Badger’s right about Sanson – a money ball purchase?