Rafa The Gaffer interested in Villa job?

[Eigentor]

Ok, so you don't like him. That's fair. But it seems a bit strange to reject a manager who has won La Liga, the FA Cup and Champions League as shit. Despite one bad season at Anfield his record is vastly better than most other managers we are linked to.

[Hopadop]

I'd like the Benitez that wins stuff.

Not the bug-eyed crazy one that wants to manage Liverpool again.

[Eigentor]

I'd like the Benitez that wins stuff.

Not the bug-eyed crazy one that wants to manage Liverpool again.

On that I'd agree. He seems to be more obsessed with Liverpool than Houllier, but hopefully that has faded somewhat. If he was to be considered as GH's successor, we would have to be certain that he wouldn't view Bodymoor Heath as a waiting room until there is a vacancy at Anfield. Another concern is that he doesn't seem to be an easy man to work with: he fell out with the director at Valencia; with his assistant at Liverpool and finally with Rick Parry, and his relationship with Moratti at Inter went sour at an incredible pace. Apart from that I think his achievements are impressive, and that we would struggle to find someone that is much better.

[Legion]

For what it's worth, I'd like to see Houllier back in the 'hot-seat' next season (health and family wishes permitting). If not, I'd far rather see Benitez appointed as opposed to Moyes, Coyle, Allardyce...

[The Left Side]

Hmm I still don't know about the FSW but how weird that he follows GH into another job if he gets it.

[eamonn]

Speaking of mad men, where is Ranieri nowadays ? He might be worth a punt

He resigned as manager of Roma in February after a few bad results. He was my choice after O'Neill fecked off. He got shafted by Abramovich and despite knowing he was a dead man walking for all of his last season at Chelsea he got them to second place and lay the foundation for Mourinho's success. A lot more dignified than that Arrogantio too.

Having said that, I think Randy will want someone who will hit the ground running and probably most importantly, someone who is likely to get the players on-side as soon as possible. Which will likely mean Mark Hughes or David Moyes. And I think both would jump at the chance.

[The Villan On The Wirral]

I`d have Rafa over the others any day of the week,the clever one who was at Liverpool before the Yanks came in and stitched him up,the one who won La liga with an unfashionable club in Valencia and then took Liverpool to two European Cup finals with (imo) an average team.

Plus he only lives 15 mins away from me so he could give me a lift to B6 every other week

[JUAN PABLO]

Fook , we dont want managers now that have won the chumps league .  ;-)

[Risso]

Not for me I'm afraid.  If for no other reason than I couldn't bear yet another Anfield homecoming wankfest next season.

Petty though it is, that is my main objection, too.

However bad it was with Houllier, it would be ten times as bad with Benitez.

His disrespect of our Club during the Barry saga rules him out for me, its not petty its a fact.

I couldn't give a stuff about that to be honest, he was doing his best for a club who were our near rivals at the time.  I'd be happy if our club behaved a bit more like that in future to be honest, rather than trying to be the Premier League's "Fairtrade" club.

[Ad@m]

Benitez was just as bad as MON for wanting complete and total control over the club.  A large chunk of the reason the RedScouse imploded at the start of this season wasn't down to Hodgson but was down to Benitez having built everything at the club to his design and employing all his mates in pretty much every job linked to playing matters.  When he left he ripped the heart out of the middle of the club and left Hodgson to try to rebuild it.

Given the way we had our fingers burnt by giving MON that sort of control I'd hate to see us doing the same with Benitez.

[Sarunyu]

This is one of the best choice right now. (apart from Luise Van Gaal).

Good Tactical Manager that is what we need.

RAFA RAFA RAFA 

[Shrek]

Hasn't Rafa just quoted along the lines of " I like a club where I control everything from the academy to top"

Do we want someone like that anywhere near Aston Villa?

Moyes or Hughes for me.

[Chris Smith]

Can't stand the man, don't want him anywhere near the club. If he gets the job I'll turn on him even before Risso does. ;-)

[ozzjim]

Most unlikely Chris.

The way all are talking, I think Houllier will be back anyway. If he is not, Benitez would be my first choice.

[KevinGage]

Not for me I'm afraid.  If for no other reason than I couldn't bear yet another Anfield homecoming wankfest next season.

Petty though it is, that is my main objection, too.

However bad it was with Houllier, it would be ten times as bad with Benitez.

His disrespect of our Club during the Barry saga rules him out for me, its not petty its a fact.

'eees fahct.

He's facked.