Is the Villa job a poison chalice?

[adrenachrome]

From a slightly different angle, it appears that getting the job on a very short term basis has not done a lot of good for Kevin Mac's outlook.

EuroSport

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald concerned for Aston Villa's next generation

Kevin MacDonald has revealed that Aston Villa's sacking of Tim Sherwood could undermine the club's plans to improve their youth development system.

By PA Sport Report

Sherwood was dismissed as manager on Sunday, with MacDonald succeeding him on a temporary basis, after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Swansea left them bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

Villa were eliminated from the Capital One Cup on Wednesday after losing to Southampton by the same scoreline, but, despite their poor results so far this season - they last won a league fixture on August 8 - MacDonald is concerned that Sherwood's absence could inhibit the club elsewhere.

 The former manager, in a previous role as Tottenham's technical director, was credited with the development of a generation of players that includes Steven Caulker, Jake Livermore, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend, and had also been key in Jack Grealish regularly featuring at Villa.

According to MacDonald, Villa's youth players were again becoming a priority at the club, but after Sherwood's departure that may no longer be the case.

"We had discussed it," MacDonald said after Wednesday's defeat at Southampton.

"I was going to move sideways to work with the development side because we have a big belief between us, with Tim, myself, (and coaches) Tony McAndrew and Ben Petty from further down, about how we were going to develop the players.

"That was good for me, I could get my hands dirty a lot more, but it was always a plan that we had. I'm disappointed because Tim was very, very good to me.

"The other thing that people tend to forget: they always tend to think that whatever team it is, it's Aston Villa first team. Well it's not, it's Aston Villa Football Club, so I've moved a couple of the younger coaches up to work with me (while overseeing the first team) but then of course we're short on the other side."

 Ray Wilkins' summer arrival as Sherwood's assistant manager had allowed MacDonald, who nurtured Gary Cahill, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry into the first team during a previous period at the club, to concentrate on the Under-21s and below and there is no guarantee that he will return to doing so when a new manager is appointed.

"It becomes quite difficult for everybody, but this is why we're involved in the coaching side because we want to do it, and we want to make sure that nobody misses out," he said.

"You have to take care of the schoolboys who are coming through, you have to take care of the Under-18s, the Under-21s, because every day they miss a chance to play and train, they miss a chance to practice and become better."

[gpbarr]

I think so.

There have been some interesting articles recently about the mismatch between expectations and financial ownership. Recent history is frighteningly alarming. Lerner publicly wants rid. Squad is clearly poor.

Yes we are a PL club but highly likely not much longer.

Very sad times and I fear for whomever is brave enough to take it on. They won't be given the time they need and that's the problem

[Diablo]

From a slightly different angle, it appears that getting the job on a very short term basis has not done a lot of good for Kevin Mac's outlook.

EuroSport

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald concerned for Aston Villa's next generation

Kevin MacDonald has revealed that Aston Villa's sacking of Tim Sherwood could undermine the club's plans to improve their youth development system.

By PA Sport Report

Sherwood was dismissed as manager on Sunday, with MacDonald succeeding him on a temporary basis, after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Swansea left them bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

Villa were eliminated from the Capital One Cup on Wednesday after losing to Southampton by the same scoreline, but, despite their poor results so far this season - they last won a league fixture on August 8 - MacDonald is concerned that Sherwood's absence could inhibit the club elsewhere.

 The former manager, in a previous role as Tottenham's technical director, was credited with the development of a generation of players that includes Steven Caulker, Jake Livermore, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend, and had also been key in Jack Grealish regularly featuring at Villa.

According to MacDonald, Villa's youth players were again becoming a priority at the club, but after Sherwood's departure that may no longer be the case.

"We had discussed it," MacDonald said after Wednesday's defeat at Southampton.

"I was going to move sideways to work with the development side because we have a big belief between us, with Tim, myself, (and coaches) Tony McAndrew and Ben Petty from further down, about how we were going to develop the players.

"That was good for me, I could get my hands dirty a lot more, but it was always a plan that we had. I'm disappointed because Tim was very, very good to me.

"The other thing that people tend to forget: they always tend to think that whatever team it is, it's Aston Villa first team. Well it's not, it's Aston Villa Football Club, so I've moved a couple of the younger coaches up to work with me (while overseeing the first team) but then of course we're short on the other side."

 Ray Wilkins' summer arrival as Sherwood's assistant manager had allowed MacDonald, who nurtured Gary Cahill, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry into the first team during a previous period at the club, to concentrate on the Under-21s and below and there is no guarantee that he will return to doing so when a new manager is appointed.

"It becomes quite difficult for everybody, but this is why we're involved in the coaching side because we want to do it, and we want to make sure that nobody misses out," he said.

"You have to take care of the schoolboys who are coming through, you have to take care of the Under-18s, the Under-21s, because every day they miss a chance to play and train, they miss a chance to practice and become better."

"The other thing that people tend to forget: they always tend to think that whatever team it is, it's Aston Villa first team. Well it's not, it's Aston Villa Football Club" Nail on head! This is bigger than just the first team.

God I hope this club can be pulled together and this unholy mess rectified in the not too distant future! 

[mr underhill]

let's get back to serious matters - who else can we shoehorn into the dugout with Michelle Dockery and Helen George?

[Salsa Party Animal]

and  Remi might be even better for our young players as he will make sure they are developing into better players. Kevin don't burn your bridge before knowing who is your next boss.

[LTA]

Have to say seeing Kev after the game yesterday he seems really hurt at the state the clubs in.  Make no mistake, this man has a huge depth of feeling for the club.  If more people felt that way, things would be so much better.

[mr underhill]

might well be true but he can't manage - that side the other night was more conservative than Cameron at the party conference