Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: The Moose on April 23, 2011, 08:26:07 PM
-
We need a new manager.
With the best will in the world, Houllier will not be back within a year, if then, so some serious decisions need to be made, and made fast. Let's not end up with a fiasco like the beginning of this season.
We don't need another season of transition - that would be a disaster. No up-and-coming young bucks, we need a tried and tested Premiership-class manager to step straight in and hit the ground running. There's a lot of things to sort out and time is short.
Over to you, Randy.
-
The General has confirmed over on VT that GED does have a serious heart problem and that he will NOT return to the dugout for the remainder of this season.
I think its possible to read between some lines here.
If its ok to C&P from there, this is what he has posted.
General Krulak here:
1. First off, I have passed on your good wishes to GH. As you might know, he has suffered a problem that he has suffered before...at Liverpool. It is serious...something that we need to be concerned about. Randy flew over to see him and everyone at the Club has been extending best wishes. I am afraid that he will not be on the sidelines for the remainder of our games....the key is his health and that he recover completely.
-
If the General has said that its time to go hunting.
-
if its that long term and its gonna take a long time for him to recover then yep, i'm sure they're looking at options as well as providing a role for GH if he wants it. Personally i'd be on the phones to Moyes Agent ASAP
-
I think one of the biggest issues here, if not THE biggest issue is:
Mrs. Houllier.
She is not going to want her husband to continue to work and jeopordise his health anymore.
Lets not underestimate the influence she is going to have in GED's future.
-
As I see it, this is the single most important issue of this season!
Aston Villa is a multi-million pound enterprise, the heart and soul of thousands of us fans, and we can't just muddle along with a second-rate management team, even to the end of the season. Steps must be taken, and taken fast.
Never mind that the best managers are signed up to other clubs, money talks. Get in, offer whatever it takes, and get your man.
-
Gerard needs to put his health first, and he would be mad to risk it for the sake of staying in the job. It is most important for him to get back to full health as soon as possible.
One thing I will say, though, is that we can't go beyond the early parts of the summer with any doubt about who is going to be our manager, so if he is going to leave the club, or maybe move "upstairs", we need to react quickly to this, so we don't repeat the turmoil of last summer, and also so we don't throw away the moves forward we've made in the latter part of the season.
-
Having read the comment from the General I honestly don't see anything there that is new or which changes what they have been saying about GH recuperating for a time before returning during the summer.
Think Houllier is doing a good job and should be able to follow through with his plans after a recuperative rest till the end of the season. Players have been visiting BH with a view to being signed. Current players have made plans to move or stay, according to his plans for the summer and next season.
If the team found it difficult at times today, I thought it showed how much his influence is needed at games, and the kind of impact he can have on a game was illustrated very clearly last week and the week before. I don't see the point of saying, 'get someone else' when his approach is beginning to pay off and I believe he deserves the opportunity to build on what he has achieved so far with a proper pre-season preparation for next season and key new players.
If it becomes evident that GH will need far longer than a few weeks to recover, then fair enough! But let's not write him off at this stage.
-
He rushed back after five months last time, the best part of ten years ago. He admitted that was far too soon. How long this time? Even five months takes us into next season. Are we going to have a caretaker in charge for all of that time?
I wish him well, but sentiment comes way down the list of Premier League priorities.
-
Having read the comment from the General I honestly don't see anything there that is new or which changes what they have been saying about GH recuperating for a time before returning during the summer.
Think Houllier is doing a good job and should be able to follow through with his plans after a recuperative rest till the end of the season. Players have been visiting BH with a view to being signed. Current players have made plans to move or stay, according to his plans for the summer and next season.
If the team found it difficult at times today, I thought it showed how much his influence is needed at games, and the kind of impact he can have on a game was illustrated very clearly last week and the week before. I don't see the point of saying, 'get someone else' when his approach is beginning to pay off and I believe he deserves the opportunity to build on what he has achieved so far with a proper pre-season preparation for next season and key new players.
If it becomes evident that GH will need far longer than a few weeks to recover, then fair enough! But let's not write him off at this stage.
I think you're right,I don't see that too much has changed,the only difference being that we didn't win today and people need a reason for an average performance.
-
I dont think we should speculate while he's still in hospital
Lets just wish hime well at this time
-
Gerard needs to put his health first, and he would be mad to risk it for the sake of staying in the job. It is most important for him to get back to full health as soon as possible.
One thing I will say, though, is that we can't go beyond the early parts of the summer with any doubt about who is going to be our manager, so if he is going to leave the club, or maybe move "upstairs", we need to react quickly to this, so we don't repeat the turmoil of last summer, and also so we don't throw away the moves forward we've made in the latter part of the season.
I'm going to guess that those talks will start very soon. If this was going to happen, (I don't mean that in any way maliciously or lacking sensitivity, but in terms of uncertainty for his position), then it is best it happened now. We're safe, we are progressing, and as a club we've got a good idea of who from the playing staff is staying and those who will be tossed aside come the summer. It will give the club a few weeks to make solid plans, sound out some targets and get someone in place by June ahead of the transfer window.
If GH can't continue I would have to think the next man will have to follow the same set of principles that will have been started by GH, and endorsed by the board. Get rid of the junk, trim the wages, bring through the kids, and use a wider scouting network to find new talent. Randy will always back his man, but I get the impression that they have a blueprint they wish to follow, be it with or without GH as manager.
-
Don't think we're being disrespectful discussing this really. Any football club needs a hands-on manager otherwise its rudderless. if he's out the loop for the rest of this season at least, then even if he returns we need to put things in place. Personally i've supported GH this season but if there's any doubt he can return as fit as before, then between now and the end of the season the club have to get a new manager
-
The title of the thread is very fitting
-
Get well Mr Houllier. David Moyes' claret & blue army.
-
I sincerely hope that he gets well soon and makes a full recovery first and foremost...
Regarding GH as Manager? I can't see him coming back. I didn't realise it was that serious. Listening to Thompson today on Sky, he kept repeating that it would be his wife that would have the last word..he looked pretty uncomfortable about it all and said he had been in to see him.
-
Leeg and I were discussing this pre match, and we both agreed that we were looking forward to seeing how Houllier was going to reshape the squad in the summer. Unfortunately I think with his health problems he should give up the management for his own good. As someone else has mentioned, his wife and family are going to have a huge say in this matter too, and I doubt they would want to risk his health any more.
Hopefully though Randy will offer him some sort of advisory role, perhaps similar to the one he was doing with the French FA prior to becoming the boss here.
As for his replacement, Randy now has time (a few weeks at least) to start sounding out who he wants. Personally I'd be looking at better than Moyes (I'm far from his biggest fan). There are some very good managers that are looking (or will be in the Summer) for work and I think we are still an attractive enough proposition for them to be interested.
Benitez, Van Gaal, Hiddink, possibly even Ancelotti (if he doesn't go back to Roma), Ranieri are just some of the names that spring to mind. However, if Houllier wanted to be a bit more hands on, but not the actual Manager I'd look at either Lambert or Grayson.
-
I wanted Houller to have a complete summer of trading and time to get rid of the crap, but i will admit i don't think he will be back as manager. Lerner would have not have visited him just to wish him well they would have talked about the future and the need to have something settled before the end of the season. Not a fan of Gmac and i wish he wasn't in control for the rest of the season, did not see any reason for taking Downing off today and left Gabby on the bench far too long.
-
Ashley Young seems to be untouchable.
-
I was certain when it happened he wouldn't return. I really can't see him being fit to do this job full time again. We need to start a search for a new manager ASAP
-
I was also looking forward to Houllier rebuilding our squad.
For me I'd go all our to get David Moyes, he would hit ground running.
-
New manger needs to be in place for next season. GH can be given a 'director of football' role or something so it makes the club not look bad
-
I was also looking forward to Houllier rebuilding our squad.
For me I'd go all our to get David Moyes, he would hit ground running.
I wonder if he will make us as glum and depressing as Everton.
-
Oh G*D. More transition?
Check the contract, I am sure it has a clause involving his health. Wish him well, good man. Let him see out his time with Family as they and he deserve. Upstairs is fine with me. Seriously good Luck GH from a doubter as our coach/manager. A decent man as I said.
Now find us a Manager for the long term.
Moyes? I dunno. I would prefer a winner. Is he that?
-
Would Moyes or any other top-line manager come here while Houllier was upstairs? Would they do it for less money than he's on? Would he take a pay cut? Assuming the last two answers are 'no', can we afford another three million a year?
It's not as easy as it seems.
-
I was also looking forward to Houllier rebuilding our squad.
For me I'd go all our to get David Moyes, he would hit ground running.
I'm torn on Moyes. I know he's done a lot of creditable things at Everton, so why do his teams always seem to start the season off like utter shit? Yes, they come back to finish 6th to 8th almost every season, but isn't that a major flaw? Also, Everton's record at Man U is every bit as bad as ours is in the past 20 years. Even today they went to defend deep and inevitably got caught and lost. If we are to take a major step forward I want a manager who's going to give it a go in every single from the off. Who doesn't ever play scared. I'm not sure Moyes is that man.
-
Hmm. It is a good point Dave. As I say it depends on the contract. And "key person" insurance.
All I am saying is that, we all agree I am sure, GH needed a full season to prove himself and we can no longer count on that.
The Club can't count on that. So irrespective of the legals- we have to move forward. With all sincere respect to GH and his Family so does he. With good health I hope.
We need, selfishly perhaps to plan for the next ten years. What is wrong with that as a business?
Whatever it takes.
-
I think it may be for the best for both parties if Gerard retires with our best wishes. A shame as I was starting to warm to him a bit. Funny what two good results will do. The c**tish behaviour of some of our players this season probably hasn't helped him. I'm genuinely saddened that it is more serious than we first thought.
Moyes reminds me a lot of O'Neill in a lot of ways for good and for ill.
-
Would Moyes or any other top-line manager come here while Houllier was upstairs? Would they do it for less money than he's on? Would he take a pay cut? Assuming the last two answers are 'no', can we afford another three million a year?
It's not as easy as it seems.
GH seems a very honourable man to me. I don't think he'd take the money if he was on the sick for 6 months. If he went upstairs its not like a Dalglish scenario when you've got an ex-manager/idol seemingly waiting to take over at the first chance. If he went upstairs it's because he can't do the manager's job. The one thing we can't afford is to plunge aimlessly into next season with a manager who may/may not come back.
-
BTW. I have to say that given the antagonism some have articulated on these pages to GH over the past months -me included- the respect shown concerning his health should be applauded.
-
It has to be sorted quickly because what half decent player is going to come to villa when they don't know who the manager is going to be.
-
Exactly. How can a club commit millions in fee's and salaries on players when you don't know if the man who wants them will be there?
-
Exactly. How can a club commit millions in fee's and salaries on players when you don't know if the man who wants them will be there?
Well they did last year....
-
heh. fair point. still i'd rather we didn't spend 20m this summer only to have GH announce his retirement a month later
-
Last year they only signed noted mentalist Steven Ireland.
-
It has to be sorted quickly because what half decent player is going to come to villa when they don't know who the manager is going to be.
True.
-
I can't see on how we can allow him to take control again his health will always be a concern the minute we go on a losing run.
i'm sure the management will handle the situation discreetly but I'd be surprised if the Doctors gave him a clean bill of health again, one that allows himto be guaranteed no or little chance of another occurance.
Time to put sentiment aside, for his own good if nothing else and make a decision as there is a need for major changes asap
-
Can we just wait until he's out of the QE with a clean bill of health before we start speculating
Christ, there talk about 2 faced
-
Sad news. GH should put his health first.
From villa's perspective, we need clarity by about June. We need to have things stable for the new season. We need to fight our way back into contention for that top six and having a settled pre-season will be a key factor.
-
BTW. I have to say that given the antagonism some have articulated on these pages to GH over the past months -me included- the respect shown concerning his health should be applauded.
Applauded? Whatever you think of him he's one of us, it should be expected.
-
It has to be sorted quickly because what half decent player is going to come to villa when they don't know who the manager is going to be.
Stephen Ireland ?
-
Can we just wait until he's out of the QE with a clean bill of health before we start speculating
Christ, there talk about 2 faced
Is it not possible to wish him the speediest recovery, show some concern for the man yet accept that his role in front-line management is very likely finished? Do you think Houllier would rather see us rudderless and sinking down the league again next season, likely into the black hole that is the Championship?
Wake up to yourself! It's no disrespect to Houllier to look for a new manager. In fact, I'd be guessing that Houllier himself has probably offered some suggestions to Randy already given his commitment to this game and, more recently, to the Villa.
Again, we can have respect for the man, we can wish him well, we can hope that he can return to work in some form for us, yet still be forward thinking enough to realise that it's time to look for his replacement.
Still, forward-thinking probably isn't in your arsenal, is it CI?
-
Indecent haste ?
Judging by some of the comments on this thread, Yes.
-
BTW. I have to say that given the antagonism some have articulated on these pages to GH over the past months -me included- the respect shown concerning his health should be applauded.
And it's nothing less than would be expected, where O'Leary bought out the very worst in fans when he was in charge I think everybody has recognised that Hou is essentially a decent and honourable man. His performance as manager will be disected and anylised, criticised and praised but from the fans who made the infamous banner to Gerard Houlliers biggest supporters, we may be divided on his talent but united on our hopes for his health.
And I'd like to think that this extends to everybody who is employed by the club.
-
Gerard needs to put his health first, and he would be mad to risk it for the sake of staying in the job. It is most important for him to get back to full health as soon as possible.
One thing I will say, though, is that we can't go beyond the early parts of the summer with any doubt about who is going to be our manager, so if he is going to leave the club, or maybe move "upstairs", we need to react quickly to this, so we don't repeat the turmoil of last summer, and also so we don't throw away the moves forward we've made in the latter part of the season.
I'm going to guess that those talks will start very soon. If this was going to happen, (I don't mean that in any way maliciously or lacking sensitivity, but in terms of uncertainty for his position), then it is best it happened now. We're safe, we are progressing, and as a club we've got a good idea of who from the playing staff is staying and those who will be tossed aside come the summer. It will give the club a few weeks to make solid plans, sound out some targets and get someone in place by June ahead of the transfer window.
If GH can't continue I would have to think the next man will have to follow the same set of principles that will have been started by GH, and endorsed by the board. Get rid of the junk, trim the wages, bring through the kids, and use a wider scouting network to find new talent. Randy will always back his man, but I get the impression that they have a blueprint they wish to follow, be it with or without GH as manager.
-
We need a new manager.
With the best will in the world, Houllier will not be back within a year, if then, so some serious decisions need to be made, and made fast. Let's not end up with a fiasco like the beginning of this season.
We don't need another season of transition - that would be a disaster. No up-and-coming young bucks, we need a tried and tested Premiership-class manager to step straight in and hit the ground running. There's a lot of things to sort out and time is short.
Over to you, Randy.
I agree this could mean GH needs to step aside. But I'm not sure where your assertion that GH won't be back within a year. At Liverpool it was a life threatening situation. I don't get the impression this was anywhere near as serious.
I don't think it's out of order to consider who might be an alternative. I think we need to have decided firmly by the end of the season. In the absence of outstanding candidates, I'd prefer to give GH a chance to build on the good things he's done and remedy the poor decisions. But if we need a new manager, I think the lead options would be:
Moyes, Benitez, Hughes, Allardyce (I think I'd stop watching) Lambert, Jol.
I'd take Moyes or Benitez over the others, but not without reservations.
Let's hope Ged gets better soon either way.
-
Moyes finished above us twice while oneil was here.
He also actually managed to finish 4th.
I just think he is a perfect fit for Villa.
-
I'd take moyes too. Not sure he'd come though
-
i have always supported Houllier and was looking forward to him reshaping the team in his own way,
this season has been rubbish but i could still see what he was trying to do with the team, and liked the style of football far more than that of MON even if it didnt come of a lot of the time
but i too dont think he'l be back,
and because of his age think he would be a bit foolish if he did, which saddens me because we had a manager who at least wanted to play some sort of expansive football even with players who struggled to adapt to it.
Moyes seems to be a big favourite, for me it would be more like MON without the charisma, wouldnt be dead against it,
but my heart does sink when i think of the sort of football we would have to watch even if it meant finishing in the top 5-8 every season
any long ball merchant and i would call it a day untill it changed, [Moyes isnt that, but not far of]
so i'm a bit concerned about the future now,
dont really know who i'd want 100% but know who i dont want, if that doesnt seem a bit daft
Houllier needs to make the right decision for himself, and at his age and health history i think we know what that is,
and i speak as a constant supporter of his and his football style, just hope we can get someone in to go forward and play some attacking attractive epansive football,
-
I don't think Moyes is a long ball merchant. Buying people like Arteta or Cahill isn't the actions of one at least. He's restricted to a degree because of everton's finances and his squad size which means he doesn't always get the type of players he perhaps wants. Given the backing i think you'd see him play a more attractive style as opposed to MON who just kept the same style he perfected at Leicester, but bought progressively more expensive players to impliment it
-
I don't think GH will be back in the hot seat again.
Could somebody please make sure Gary Mc is removed from it A.S.A.P.
-
aye. maybe its a bit unfair on the strength of one game but it doesn't bode well if we've got Gary MC in charge for 6 months while GH recovers
-
No it doesn't and don't want to have to go through another season like this one for a very long time.
-
You just know that this situation will drag on and on in the Summer.
We need a definite and as quick as possible decision on what will be happening.
The Houllier 'upstairs' suggestion seems unworkable to me, as Dave Woodhall pointed out, would the likes of Moyes be prepared to work in these circumstances?
The best thing all round would be for Houllier to step down, I think with his health issues, it's unfeasible to expect him to be involved in the day to day running of a Premiership football club.
I'm betting that his medical advice will be 'Call it a day.'
-
You just know that this situation will drag on and on in the Summer.
We need a definite and as quick as possible decision on what will be happening.
The Houllier 'upstairs' suggestion seems unworkable to me, as Dave Woodhall pointed out, would the likes of Moyes be prepared to work in these circumstances?
The best thing all round would be for Houllier to step down, I think with his health issues, it's unfeasible to expect him to be involved in the day to day running of a Premiership football club.
I'm betting that his medical advice will be 'Call it a day.'
Agree 100%. He must know deep down that he can't carry on so the board need to act quick otherwise we can write next season off as well in the same way that we did to this one.
-
Well hopefully there will be no dithering about and we can avoid writing next season off aswell.
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
Well apologies for giving a shit about this is going to mess up another pre season for us.
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
There is a possibility that he may not be able to come back, so what's the harm of discussing the possible future? I'm sure the club already have.
-
I hope he get's back to full health but he can't afford to rush back into the hot seat with is heart condition it's important he takes things easily so if we do need to look for a possible replacement for him I think Owen Coyle would be worth a look at or has most of you have said David Moyes but It's all speculation that he won't be hear next season get well soon Gerard.
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
Look, i hope he's given a clean bill of health and gets a crack at a full season, but its daft not to discuss how long we can wait for him to recover whether you want him here or not. I'm sure its crossed GH's mind as well
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
Look, i hope he's given a clean bill of health and gets a crack at a full season, but its daft not to discuss how long we can wait for him to recover whether you want him here or not. I'm sure its crossed GH's mind as well
We know it has, as Randy and Faulkner discussed with him the possibility of the doctors advising him not to return to work.
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
Look, i hope he's given a clean bill of health and gets a crack at a full season, but its daft not to discuss how long we can wait for him to recover whether you want him here or not. I'm sure its crossed GH's mind as well
I'm sure we all hope he gets back to full health as soon as possible but I hope those in power at Villa Park are awake to the situation that we are possibly facing for the second summer in a row.
-
Just what you need when lying in a hospital bed recovering from a major health scare is the added stress of people writing you off and discussing your replacement at work.
You wouldn't think it at times, but even Premier League football managers are human beings.
Get well soon Gerard.
I think you're being a little melodramatic. Not one person on here - pro-or anti Houllier the manager hasn't wished him the very best for him personally. But this is real life, and in the event that he has to step down, looking at a contingency is the right thing to do. I want him to come back and continue the job he started, but GH the human being takles precedence over that. Nobody is being insensitive, and I don't think this will add any stress to him whatsoever. He walked away once before because it made sense. He may have to again. I'm sure he's been thinking about it himself.
-
Let me throw a totally off-the-wall suggestion in here.
Gez upstairs and Robert Pires head coach/whatever the title would be.
-
Let me throw a totally off-the-wall suggestion in here.
Gez upstairs and Robert Pires head coach/whatever the title would be.
Lay off the crack Dave.
Apart from the Acid induced Pires suggestion, I wouldn't want Houllier in an 'upstairs' role.
I can't think of an instance where it's worked at an English club.
-
I think it would work if he were to take a role similar to that of Arneson at Chelsea. Maybe even as some sort of football advisor to the board.
-
This may just work out to be convenient for all parties. Clearly Houllier is not popular with the fans and I'm sure the job has turned out to be a lot more difficult and pressurised than he had expected. A move upstairs or retirement would probably be a good move for him and it would also mean that RAL would not be blamed for a poor appointment.
Either way I wish him well, but suspect that the club may look at this as an opportunity to start again with a manager which they can take their time in recruiting.
-
What decent Manager worth his salt would take orders from Houllier?
The only way it could possibly work is if you were to have an inexperienced coach, like McAllister.
No thanks, we need an experienced man at the helm who doesn't have to put up with whispers in his ear all the time.
-
Let me throw a totally off-the-wall suggestion in here.
Gez upstairs and Robert Pires head coach/whatever the title would be.
Lay off the crack Dave.
Apart from the Acid induced Pires suggestion, I wouldn't want Houllier in an 'upstairs' role.
I can't think of an instance where it's worked at an English club.
Very rarely, if at all. Because in England the manager is the director of football.
-
Let me throw a totally off-the-wall suggestion in here.
Gez upstairs and Robert Pires head coach/whatever the title would be.
I wouldn't be against it. I think Pires might make a decent coach and Gerard might be useful with his contacts and experience.
Though I remember Pires saying in an interview that he has no interest in being a manager but would consider an assistant's job.
-
GH might make a decent scout if anything. Three of the four players he's brought in have been decent enough.
-
The Pires idea is possibly the barmiest thing I've heard on here for ages, Dave, I'm afraid.
If GH is back to full health, I don't have any issue with him continuing next season, it makes sense to do that.
If, on the other hand, he's not up to it, then he's not up to it. As others have said, DoF roles do not work in the English game. It'd be time to look for a new, permanent manager, and quickly, too. Letting this drag well into the summer would just be repeating the turmoil of last (late) summer.
-
I for one am in two minds about this. The compassionate sentimentalist wants him to recover, take the time he needs come back and have a couple of seasons at least to finish his work in progress, have his team playing his football and hopefully be where we need to be.
The instant gratification fan with an unnerving impatience wants it nipped in the bud rather than go through all the rigmarole of the quagmire of if's but's and maybe's.
-
Though I remember Pires saying in an interview that he has no interest in being a manager but would consider an assistant's job.
Has he got any coaching badges?
I bet not.
-
Clearly the most important thing is Gerard's health but the club are in a tricky position as they won't want to have uncertainty dragging on into the summer but equally if they were seen to be seeking out a replacement while he is sick they'd be thought of as callous bastards.
-
Pires and someone like Keown might work under Ged as DOF. Moyes is a boring option. Coyle may be good, but like when GED took over, there are not that many options. Maybe Benitez, but his transfer record is pretty dismal so not sure he would be that good.
-
Though I remember Pires saying in an interview that he has no interest in being a manager but would consider an assistant's job.
Has he got any coaching badges?
I bet not.
I'm betting not as well and without them, it's a non starter (unless you are Shearer and the FA manipulate matters for him, again).
I've got level 2, what's Randy's mobile number?
-
Whatever happens, the board need to make the decision early. This we've had a season of transition in order to 'gear up' for next year (although not their fault). Failing to act quickly will potentialy push the transitional period into next season... and two years of not challenging for anything will do us alot of harm.
We could use Houllier in a similar sort of role he was in at France, perhaps a part time position. Finding players, adding foreign talents to the academy etc.
Get a younger manager on a long contract to take over, the obvious ones are Moyes or Coyle. I'd prefer the latter as he's more flexible and versatile. Houllier's name should see us still be able to attract Makoun types.
However, I'm sure Ged can help find his successor.
-
It's premature to be talking about a new Manager and disrespectful I think.
The club must be sounding out a few seasoned Managers - Mark Hughes is my personal favourite, but all to be done at the end of the season.
No more turmoil at VP while the season's still on, and then the board can do what it has to do.
Been one Hell of a crap season this one.
-
One thing I am pretty sure of, is Houllier won't just leave us in the shit, he will help guide the club and assist us in the decisions that need to be made, even if he isn't allowed to return.
-
Tim - don't your first and second sentences kind of contradict each other!!?
-
I would like GED to use his expertise in the boardroom and become an ambassador of the club if he doesn't feel up to the director of football role but I think the day to role of manager is probably too much for a man with a history of health issues and he must put his health first.
He can still have a major part to play at the club but probably not as manager and a move upstairs would be less stressful and add a lot of experience of a football nature to randy and Paul - I would not want him to leave the club overall but his health has to come first and foremost.
Maybe David moyes would be happy to take on the job and be happy to have GED in the background upstairs as they are very good friends.
-
Tim - don't your first and second sentences kind of contradict each other!!?
A little, but maybe to articulate better, something's wrong about talking about a GH replacement at this possibly delicate time in the health of the man.
However, as we are ( talking about it) - I am advocating a look at Mark Hughes if the club does need a new Manager in the 2011/12 season.
And IF that is the case, we need to be doing it asap.
The club will know exactly what GH's health situation is, as they will be aware of how awful this season was due to MON walking away at such a late stage of the pre-season will act in the club's best interests.
If that means a new Manager, then get him in asap, and I'm saying IF that is the situation, make it Mark Hughes.
-
I'm sorry, but people saying it is disrespectful to discuss our clubs future at this time is bollocks.
Yes I hope Houllier makes a full and speedy recovery, but I've got to be honest..It should be the club making the decision on Gerard's future, not the other way round.
FWIW, I think he will call it a day, but we cannot afford to let this drag on over the summer.
and please god no to the spanish waiter.
I could not stand another media induced gushing over the 'This is Anfield' sign.
-
I don't think it's being disrespectful to gerard if randy has doubts about his ability to continue, his health must come before football and he may well feel himself that it's unwise to continue in such a stressful job, I hope there will be a role for him somewhere at the club because he has vast knowledge and contacts and I'd hate to see him lost to the game .
on a business note though randy obviously has to think about Aston villa and if GED feels or his doctors feel the job involves too much stress for a man in his health then i would expect randy to act fast to secure a replacement , I really do think the moyes rumours could come to fruition as he probably needs a new challenge and I think he's taken everton as far as he can.
-
Whilst the departure of MON was at the worst possible time for RL and the club, this unfortunate episode with GH's health could possibly have come at a very good time. And I say that wishing him a very speedy recovery and also the fact that I was looking towards a very interesting summer of new arrivals (and departures) and a new look Villa next season.
It was said when GH was appointed that he had been given a clean bill of health by his doctors, well unfortunately it would appear they were incorrect. Even if GH wishes to carry on, and personally would expect his wife to veto that, I do not feel that RL can allow it to happen with the possibility of a repeat episode at any time taking GH away from the club for a period of weeks or even months.
By happening now, this occurrence allows RL and PF four weeks for the opportunity to sound out, probably via agents, who would be interested in being appointed and then, when the season officially ends, immediately make an official approach for the chosen one. That way an appointment could be made within days of the end of the season allowing that person all the summer to decide on those leaving and those to be brought in.
As an aside, the name of Mark Hughes was mentioned as having been in the frame prior to MON's departure, and following Martin Jol's resignation recently I read somewhere that Fulham had spoken to him as Hughes was only on a 1 year contract with them and talks about a new one had been put on hold. This was when we were on the edge of the bottom 3 and the possibility of GH having his contract terminated was being aired. Have not seen anything since to say that Hughes has signed a further contract.
-
If we are talking about possible replacements for Ged, then Moyes has to be first choice, followed by Owen Coyle and possibly Paul Lambert IMO
-
If, heaven forbid, an influential player were to be sidelined long term, I don't think anyone would be clutching their pearls and saying it was disrespectful. We do in the instance have the luxury of a little time to explore all the options open to us whether it be to allow Houllier the time to recover or to start the search for a replacement.
-
Am I the only one who doesn't want Moyes?
-
No.
-
Am I the only one who doesn't want Moyes?
Too much Everton baggage for me, would prefer Jol, Koeman or maybe even McLaren
And no to Coyle also, he hasn't got a good enough CV for the Villa job
-
I really can't stand the bloke or his team. Can't quite put my finger on it but I think he's a prick and very overated also.
-
Moyes and Ged are mates aren't they? Didn't Moyes sign that young French forward on Houllier's recommendation.
Maybe that could be a starting point for using Houllier in a DoF role, and it'll be a smoother process with continuing the deals that are seemingly in place for the Summer.
-
Coyle would be my 1st choice and moyes my 2nd choice if we do need a new boss, but I'd like houllier to stay on upstairs.
-
Jol is the man for me. Maybe after that see if Coyle would want it (which I doubt).
Moyes wouldn't rank too highly in my list but higher than Hughes who is the one I think they will go for.
-
I think coyle would see villa as a huge step up from Bolton and as he left burnley for Bolton he is clearly ambitious to progress his career, moyes may relish a fresh challenge and jol would be a reasonable shout if reunited with hughton as his number 2, as for Hughes I'm not adverse to it but he wouldn't be my choice.
Hughes did however get the best from friedal, warnock, dunne and Ireland when managing them and would be popular with those players I imagine.
-
I think Mark Hughes would command the respect of the dressing room
Not sure about what brand of football he stands for though
-
If Houllier doesn't come back as manager - which looks increasingly likely - I'd like to see him stay at the club as others have said in a less pressurised role such as Director of Football. His expertise in the transfer market would serve us well and he'd be a great ambassador for the club. The downside may be it might limit the number of managers who would be happy to work under that arrangement. Most managers want complete control over all playing matters including who to buy and who to move on. Perhaps it would open the door for an out and out coach such as Chris Hughton - he did about 15 years as a coach at Spurs before his disgraceful treatment at Newcastle and I think he'd sort our defence out. Just the sort of opportunity he may be looking for?
-
Whatever happens, it needs to have happened by the end of May.
-
I imagine that Houllier was always going to be very closely involved in finding his successor anyway. His age dictates that he was never going to be long term (unless he led us to untold glories), his appointment was about re-structuring the way the playing side of the club is run for a better future. I assume that a younger successor with a similar approach was always on the horizon.
-
I'm pretty sure we'll know one way or another by the end of the season.
If GH decides he best not return, Vilas-Boas could be an interesting option. Very young but very clever and probably our only chance to get him before bigger clubs come calling. Whoever we get, it must be somebody that carries on GH's work of trying to get us playing decent football rather than a return to MON's outdated methods.
-
I'm pretty sure we'll know one way or another by the end of the season.
If GH decides he best not return, Vilas-Boas could be an interesting option. Very young but very clever and probably our only chance to get him before bigger clubs come calling. Whoever we get, it must be somebody that carries on GH's work of trying to get us playing decent football rather than a return to MON's outdated methods.
I totally agree with your last sentence, but who is Vilas-Boas?
-
Would Vilas-Boas be interested in managing us though? From what I've heard he'll have bigger fish to fry in the summer.
Would be very happy with him. Very happy indeed.
-
I'm pretty sure we'll know one way or another by the end of the season.
If GH decides he best not return, Vilas-Boas could be an interesting option. Very young but very clever and probably our only chance to get him before bigger clubs come calling. Whoever we get, it must be somebody that carries on GH's work of trying to get us playing decent football rather than a return to MON's outdated methods.
I would love Vilas-Boas, I don't know much about Portugese football but get the impression he's going to go on to great things, plus his name is awesome.
-
He's the Porto coach, legion.
I think he'd be interested and having worked under Mourinho at Chelsea, he'll know all about us. Add to that we have a chairman that has fully supported his managers, Villa could be the right club for him now. As good as he is, he's only 33 and I doubt the 'bigger fish' are quite ready to take a risk on him just yet.
-
The club has to look out for itself though, any business would.
While there is no question about wishing GH all the very best and hoping he has a rapid and full recovery business goes on, so the have to get their plans moving. We can't have another summer of turmoil.
-
We didn't have a summer of turmoil. We had a summer of sweet FA then got dropped in the shit by the previous incumbent a few days before the start of the season. Bastard.
-
The problem with vilas-boas is that it would probably be a stepping stone and I think he would move on to a bigger club sooner rather than later.
-
Ok, inactivity then turmoil and lack of transfer activity.
The weaknesses evident in the squad mean we can't afford to waste another summer, for whatever reason.
-
Yes, yes and no.
Bent. Makoun. Bradley. Pires...
-
The problem with vilas-boas is that it would probably be a stepping stone and I think he would move on to a bigger club sooner rather than later.
It would be the same for Coyle or Moyes though. If Coyle takes the job he would have stepped from St Johnstone to Burnley to Bolton to Us. As soon as say Liverpool or someone come in he would leave like a shot. If Moyes impresses with us he could end up getting the United job when Ferguson leaves.
It would probably be the same for every manager unless we got an older one coming to the end of his career.
Now, with someone like Vilas-Boas we would be taking a risk but he could build something special and might be less likely to leave if he does.
-
If you have a search on google there are some scouting reports that Vilas-Boas did for Mourinho. They're incredibly detailed and suggest that he is meticulous in his planning.
It'd also suggest that his expertise is more in coaching and match analysis rather than setting up the infrastructure of the whole club. Admittedly I'm leaping to that assumption because I think he AND Houllier could be a complementary partnership.
Mark Kelly - how are Porto structured? I know they have a wealth of scouts as their business model is largely built upon buying cheap (from abroad) and then selling for big fees. Based on the fact that Vilas-Boas only joined in the summer is it correct to say that he is working under a DoF at Porto and therefore he'd be happy work under these conditions?
-
Having our manager snapped up by united (or whoever) would suggest that they'd been successful. I'd take that.
-
Do not think that Vilas-Boas may want to mix it with the big boys in the Champions league next season...........
-
puts his tin hat on....................
Sam Allardyce
would give us the fighting spirit we need
I am fully aware of the long ball criticism, but surely that was based on the players that were available to him
He would luv to prove the doubters wrong
for one I would welcome him to VP
-
Having our manager snapped up by united (or whoever) Woolf suggest that they'd been successful. I'd take that.
I'd rather a manager who wants to build Villa into the best football club around. If we're just going to sit around and see our club as a grooming place for "bigger" clubs then we may as well give up. A successful Villa is as big as any club.
-
I'm pretty sure we'll know one way or another by the end of the season.
If GH decides he best not return, Vilas-Boas could be an interesting option. Very young but very clever and probably our only chance to get him before bigger clubs come calling. Whoever we get, it must be somebody that carries on GH's work of trying to get us playing decent football rather than a return to MON's outdated methods.
Isn't he likely to get offered the very top jobs, such as Chelsea. Would take him in a flash.
-
Porto are in the Champs League again next year aren't they, having run away with the Portugese league. And may yet win the Uefa Cup. Can't see what the attraction of Villa would be to him. Bigger league sure but not a bigger club unfortunately.
Anyway, considering the main criteria for Faulkner and Lerner last Aug/Sep when looking for a manager was that he must have experience managing in the Premiership I think we'll be looking closer to home at younger managers (if GHou departs).
-
I can see why moyes or coyle would come here but in all honesty why would vilas -boas leave Porto and the champions league to come to us?
-
I think Mourinho will get the ManUre gig when SAF goes, Moyes has done nothing to warrant him being linked with that job
Our next manager needs to be a long term appointment, Hughes may just fit the bill or Mclaren, Jol or Koemann
-
If you have a search on google there are some scouting reports that Vilas-Boas did for Mourinho. They're incredibly detailed and suggest that he is meticulous in his planning.
It'd also suggest that his expertise is more in coaching and match analysis rather than setting up the infrastructure of the whole club. Admittedly I'm leaping to that assumption because I think he AND Houllier could be a complementary partnership.
Mark Kelly - how are Porto structured? I know they have a wealth of scouts as their business model is largely built upon buying cheap (from abroad) and then selling for big fees. Based on the fact that Vilas-Boas only joined in the summer is it correct to say that he is working under a DoF at Porto and therefore he'd be happy work under these conditions?
Agree with you about the partnership of Vilas-Boas and GH.
Porto don't have a DoF but do have a chairman that orchestrates everything, especially the worldwide scouting, which as you rightly point out has been a fantastic scource of income for them. I'm struggling to think of a club in Europe that have traded better and so consistantly over the years.
My guess is that Vilas-Boas would be happy to have a DoF working under him, allowing him to concentrate on the football side but still have final say on everything. Mourinho at Real changed the culture by basically cutting the legs off the Sports Director and getting him under his control.
Obviously Vilas-Boas may have his own ideas on who he wants on his staff, including a DoF but at least in the short term, I can see GH being able to positively contribute given the chance. Porto have had a well organised structure in place for a very long time, we haven't apart from the youth set up. I'm not even sure we have a head scout at the moment.
My only concern is that Porto insist that Vilas-Boas stays on for one more year, it's something they manage to do with all their best players who get offers from Spain, England and Italy. If we fail to get him this summer, I can see him taking over from Redknapp at Spurs, should he end up replacing Capello next summer. I hope I'm wrong.
-
I think coyle would see villa as a huge step up from Bolton and as he left burnley for Bolton he is clearly ambitious to progress his career, moyes may relish a fresh challenge and jol would be a reasonable shout if reunited with hughton as his number 2, as for Hughes I'm not adverse to it but he wouldn't be my choice.
Hughes did however get the best from friedal, warnock, dunne and Ireland when managing them and would be popular with those players I imagine.
I don't think commanding the respect of three players who have demonstrated questionable attitude and commitment and another who will surely only be about for another season is a tremendously sound basis for giving someone a job.
-
I obviously wish GH all the best getting back to good health but I really can't see him being the manager next season. You can't plan anything or achieve anything if the man in charge is missing at least 7 games a season (I'm counting those two games at the start aswell seeing as he couldn't get out of his contract with the French FA) so give him a backroom role and get someone else in charge.
I'd be well happy with Moyes or Coyle.
-
puts his tin hat on....................
Sam Allardyce
would give us the fighting spirit we need
I am fully aware of the long ball criticism, but surely that was based on the players that were available to him
He would luv to prove the doubters wrong
for one I would welcome him to VP
you're going to need a lot more han a tin hat with a suggestion like that. He'd bring horrible football to Villa Park. No thanks. A million times over.
-
Moyes is solid if unspectacular. Would that change if he had more cash. I don't know. I think he's a form of MON in that he'll make us very solid, and we'll be in it every year, but never quite have enough. I wouldn't be against him, but I'm not sure he'd be my first choice.
I'd be very wary of Coyle. I know he's done a good job at Bolton, but I get the impression he's always looking for the next big job. If we hired him I just get the impression he'll never he be satisfied with what he has. Kind of like Steve Bruce in some respects just a lot better. Still, if you could tie him down to a long term deal he would be a very interesting project. He'd be a hero if he could transform us into a serious player in English football once again.
Jol's interesting because he made Spurs relevant again. But he spent a lot of money and when he finally left they were hardly pulling up any trees. Another on who's been to a lot of clubs in a short space of so you have to wonder about his level of commitment.
I don't mind the idea of Dave's suggestion of Director Of Football with a young up and comer in the hot seat. Not sure Pires would be my choice but I wonder how someone like Grayson might do, or even someone from the continent where the DOF role is more common.
I'd like to see Houllier stay on because he has some great contacts in Europe and an eye for talent. I'd want to see him oversee our entire operation if at all possible if he can't carry on as manager. I'm hoping that we don't come to that and he can.
-
Too much Everton baggage for me,
What the fuck does that mean? Is Everton baggage worse than, say, Bolton baggage or Real Madrid baggage?
What are you on about?
-
puts his tin hat on....................
Sam Allardyce
would give us the fighting spirit we need
I am fully aware of the long ball criticism, but surely that was based on the players that were available to him
He would luv to prove the doubters wrong
for one I would welcome him to VP
you're going to need a lot more han a tin hat with a suggestion like that. He'd bring horrible football to Villa Park. No thanks. A million times over.
Why not go mad alltogether...Randy, did u get a phone number from Tony Pulis yesteday ?
-
puts his tin hat on....................
Sam Allardyce
would give us the fighting spirit we need
I am fully aware of the long ball criticism, but surely that was based on the players that were available to him
He would luv to prove the doubters wrong
for one I would welcome him to VP
you're going to need a lot more han a tin hat with a suggestion like that. He'd bring horrible football to Villa Park. No thanks. A million times over.
Why not go mad alltogether...Randy, did u get a phone number from Tony Pulis yesteday ?
Adamski - whatever you've been drinking you need to stop. Now. It's making you have nightmare thoughts
-
extreme short term i know, but i wouldn't mind Wilkins in till the end of the season either above or below Gary Mac. Experienced no.2, seems to command the respect and good will of the footballers he coaches, good with the press, and would act as a buffer between Mac and those less than enthused with his coaching and maybe rebuild a bit of harmony. Want us to finish as high as possible now we're all but safe and if he was here short term then in a month we and the club will know more where we stand with GH.
-
I rate Wilkins but im sure Mcallister can cope for 4 games without the need for anyone to come in, it would not be a worthwhile exercise this late in the season and would probably undermine Gary macs authority.
I just hope that Gerard doesn't recommend Gary mac on a long term basis, although I have a very strong feeling that moyes will be tempted and his friendship with Gerard could swing it.
-
Perhaps Roeder will help GM out to the close of the season?
-
I'm not sure if there's any need for someone like Wilkins now either. I'm not sure whether Moyes would come, but the older he gets he's going to want to have a crack somewhere else eventually.
-
Perhaps Roeder will help GM out to the close of the season?
What, in a sort of Laurel and Hardy way ....
-
Grayson or Lambert with GH as the DoF.
As long as GMac gets his marching orders.
-
Moyes just does not do it for me.
I think it would be a safe, uninspiring move for someone who could keep us up around 8th-5th with an ocassional flirt with a cup and the odd flirt with relegation.
In short, what we seem to have had for years.
Someone put it very well, hs seems like MON without the charisma.
IF we have to look for a new manager, can't we think big ?
Can't we push the boat out and get the very best we can get ?
I don't profess to know who that is but I'm sure there are better people than Moyes out there.
-
Moyes has got Everton into the top four once before. He has also taken them close most other seasons, all achieved on an extremely limited budget.
It's reasonable to think he would achieve at least this with us and probably make us Champions League regulars with Randy's financial backing, so I don't mind if he's a bit lacking in the charisma dept....
-
...
IF we have to look for a new manager, can't we think big ?
Can't we push the boat out and get the very best we can get ?
I don't profess to know who that is but I'm sure there are better people than Moyes out there.
Why shouldn't a club ranked 20th in terms of annual revenue in Europe (with significant scope for improving commercial revenue) be capable of attracting a top-class manager, one who is at the top of his game?
-
Define "Top-Class"?
-
Perhaps we can get Cappello after he's done with England, he seems to spend most weekends at Villa Park anyway
-
Director of Football is a position that has rarely been successful in English football. I don't know why people keep suggesting it.
-
This thread simply goes to prove that there is nothing quite like ill-health or death to see a rapid reappraisal of the person's attributes. All of a sudden it seems that Houllier would really suit an ambassadorial role. Really? Based on what? The way that not six months ago he fawned all over Liverpool when supposedly managing us? How he threw in the towel on the FA Cup not two months ago?
If the medical advice he receives is to walk away, then that is what he should do. Go and spend the money you have amassed from football enjoying your retirement. AVFC can then get on with the business of appointing a manager to take us forward without being constrained by a previous incumbent having his say.
Whilst it might be misconstrued as callousness, the club also has to have some clear time frame. If a new manager is required, he needs to be in post before the players return for pre-season.
As for the names mentioned, I don't have a problem with a manger using us as a stepping stone. To do so, he will have had to have achieved tangible success over a three of four season period, which for the Villa is a domestic cup and/or a couple of decent tilts at Champions League qualification. Guarantee that and I'd bite his hand off.
Hughes has a record of good overseas signings, certainly when he was at Blackburn. He was badly treated by the new regime at Man City, but I wonder as to whether he is happier working at the smaller Premier League clubs.
Moyes I think is in a rut and has probably been at Everton a couple of seasons too long. He is ready for a new challenge, but I have my reservations.
What Everton succeeded in doing when they appointed Moyes was to find the next up and coming young manager who had cut his teeth in a lower division. I wonder as to whether that is what we should be doing. If so, I reckon Paul Lambert is going to become a top, top manager.
-
any update on how GED is ? has he left hospital yet ?
-
Define "Top-Class"?
Someone who is currently (or was very recently) competing at the top of one of the big European leagues, has won trophies, who has a record of outperforming other clubs in his league in relation to the resources available (not necessarily champions), has great knowledge and/or experience of the Premier League.
-
any update on how GED is ? has he left hospital yet ?
no.
He will be in for 'several day's'.
Just shows how serious it is.
-
That Porto manager who used to be an assistant for Mourinho and with a Villa related name before those top European clubs lay their eyes on him.
You don't try, you won't know.
-
Define "Top-Class"?
Someone who is currently (or was very recently) competing at the top of one of the big European leagues, has won trophies, who has a record of outperforming other clubs in his league in relation to the resources available (not necessarily champions), has great knowledge and/or experience of the Premier League.
Steve McLaren ?
-
Director of Football is a position that has rarely been successful in English football. I don't know why people keep suggesting it.
Is it not more of a case of a good DoF overseeing all aspects of the footballing side except training and selection. I think it can work, I just think the incumbents have to be, you know, mature and communicate. I think the control freakery displayed by many British managers is why it doesn't work.
If nothing else, the DoF is there to provide a continuity of "philosophy" in football matters etc so where the manager/head coach whatever may change clubs don't fall into a position where everything stalls as a result of a change of personnel.
See Aston Villa circa 2010/11 as an example of this stalled progress!
:P
-
Can we just wait until he's out of the QE with a clean bill of health before we start speculating
Christ, there talk about 2 faced
He will be in the QE for days, perhaps weeks & won't get a clean bill of health for months if ever.
Of course I wish him a full recovery, but can't see him returning to high pressure football managment, his replacement needs sorting asap or at least a Plan A, B & C being put in place.
-
Director of Football is a position that has rarely been successful in English football. I don't know why people keep suggesting it.
I'm neither for or against it to be honest. But why can't it work here? It's like saying we shouldn't pass the ball at our national level because it's never worked here and just give up on it. Or a case in point is the introduction of foreign managers. Dr Jo didn't work for us, but in the end since that time, with Wenger, Mourinho, Benitez, Ancelotti etc they've been a tremendous success. At some point there will be a coach/DofF appointed somewhere that will work, and it will start a trend. Why not us?
-
Can we just wait until he's out of the QE with a clean bill of health before we start speculating
Christ, there talk about 2 faced
Crikey wiki you can hardly talk, you were backing the protest march to get the guy sacked only a couple of weeks ago!
He will be in the QE for days, perhaps weeks & won't get a clean bill of health for months if ever.
Of course I wish him a full recovery, but can't see him returning to high pressure football managment, his replacement needs sorting asap or at least a Plan A, B & C being put in place.
-
Eastie, my point is, the guy is in intensive care, I think the timing of this thread is wrong
-
Maybe so wiki, but you yourself have several times thrown in Steve mclarens name amongst others during this very thread and then slag off others for speculating over a possible replacement!
-
Eastie, my point is, the guy is in intensive care, I think the timing of this thread is wrong
If you think the timing of this thread is wrong, then i suggest you delete the posts you made on page 7.
-
The thread title is a question isn't it ? Maybe rhetorical ? Anyway I made my point prior to throwing a couple of names into the ring in the event that GED doesn't return
-
Wiki, it's bank holiday my friend, put your spade away and stop digging that hole.
-
Eastie, my point is, the guy is in intensive care, I think the timing of this thread is wrong
I didn't know GED was in intensive care.
Is this true ? Even more reason to suspect he won't return.
-
No it is exaggerated bollocks from a tedious bore.
He's comfortable relaxing in a bed and having tests.
-
Eastie, my point is, the guy is in intensive care, I think the timing of this thread is wrong
I didn't know GED was in intensive care.
Is this true ? Even more reason to suspect he won't return.
I don't think he would have been texting the players on Saturday afternoon from intensive care. Having said that, he wouldn't still be in hospital if it wasn't something very serious.
-
I may be wrong, i know the QE has a large / specialist cardiology centre there and i have assumed based on what i've read /heard that he'd be on one of the specialist ICU wards.
-
the club have said hes comfortable and undergoing tests and gary mac says hes surprised how well he looks -your intensive care comment suggests far worse than the club have said wiki!
-
fair enough eastie, you've made your point
how's the new job going?
-
I may be wrong, i know the QE has a large / specialist cardiology centre there and i have assumed based on what i've read /heard that he'd be on one of the specialist ICU wards.
Probably time to stop assuming.
-
Well thanks wiki, have 2 days off now after working the weekend 6 till 2 but off to Cyprus on holiday on Sunday so hoping we beat the baggies and are safe and then I can have a relaxing week in the sun!
-
Nice one eastie enjoy Cyprus, go to the north side if you can, it's lovely
-
I can only guess of course but I suggest the possitivity coming from Gary Mack is due to the fact that he knows he's out of the door if Gerard Houllier doesn't come back. I totally agree with the board for thinking about a successor, Houllier is after all 63 and not one for the longer term come what may. I hope that he comes through this latest scare but I don't think he'll ever be fit enough to see off the heart problem completely. Football is a business and Villa would be absolutely stupid if they didn't at the very least talk to Mr Houllier about stepping down.
-
. I totally agree with the board for thinking about a successor, Houllier is after all 63 and not one for the longer term come what may.
Sorry, but the comment above is nothing to do with his health!
Consider Sir Bobby Robson
Still going up to his mid - 70's
and these poor old doddering souls in their 60's:
SAF
Fabio Capello
Arsene Wenger
Neil Warnock
and Dario Gradi in his 70's, still going strong.
It would take a brave HR person to tell any of these that they're past it. Patrick Barclay addresses this issue in The Times today, arguing that the best thing for Houllier is to get back in there at Villa, rather than be persuaded by anybody that his age means he should give way to a younger man 'for the future'.
Barclay argues that being wanted and expected back at work is more likely to help GH to a full recovery with renewed vigour than writing him off or assuming age-related decrepitude is imminent. I agree, wishing I could quote some of the article but it's a pay per view, apparently.
-
The age of gerard is not a problem, it's his health which is the worry, there have been many managers in their 60s who are successes, redknapp, wenger , ferguson etc are all examples of this but they do not have the health issues that Gerard sadly is suffering from.
-
That's all a very nice thought. But the reality is that even if GH is given the all clear to return to his role as manager and even if he feels fit and able to do it there is always a likelihood that he could find himself ill again at some stage next season. Now that might be the same for every manager regardless off age and health history...but in GH's case it's a much, much bigger risk. Can the club take that risk? I don't think we can.
-
With our defence, probably best he steps aside
-
The Club seem to be saying that any future involvement is up to him. (GH).
I respect that p.r. position but I am sure management is looking at alternatives. Just in case, because another season fractured such as this is unacceptable to everyone involved. No fault directed at anyone. Just business pragmatism.
Anyway, again, given the thread - good luck Gerard and I hope you make the right decision for you and your Family.
I happen to think that we have the management in place to find the solution for next season and beyond.
-
We need to get this man Ralph Rangnick from Schaalke. Failing that van Gaal will be fresh and ready. No need to look anywhere else.
-
I read somewhere that gerards wife had serious worries about him going back into management when he joined us and I would expect she will have a big input into whether he resumes his job- in all honesty he must make the decision that health comes first and foremost.
Unless given a totally clean bill of health which seems unlikely given the circumstances of his illness then I would be very surprised if he returned to the high pressure and stress of day to day football management.
-
We need to get this man Ralph Rangnick from Schaalke. Failing that van Gaal will be fresh and ready. No need to look anywhere else.
Van gaal yes please.
-
My personal opinion is that Houllier for another season would be no bad thing, to bring some stability over the summer to hopefully build from there.
If this is not possible, I would still take a chance on Martin Jol - provided he has been cured of his addiction of purchasing second-rate midfielders.
-
Like a few have mentioned, DOF-type set ups have a less than healthy success rate in the UK.
But:
If it was a role with clearly defined perimeters, namely if GH's remit was to scout and recommend players, oversee administration et.c in contrast to, say, Comoli's usual input -or the farcical situation at Newcastle with Wise- perhaps it could work.
Even GH's staunchest critics would have to concede there is a wealth of knowledge there to tap into, seems a shame to completely disregard it when (God willing) he's fit enough to return to the game.
Whether a new manager is prepared to cede any kind of ground -or the natural misgivings he might feel by being associated (however loosely) with a less than popular previous regime may prove to be the telling factors there.
Oddly Moyes out of all the usual suspects might be more receptive to the idea, as he does apparently have a lot of time for GH -to the point that he has already taken his recommendation vis a vis players.
If I was to take a punt, I'd go for a promising young manager like Laudrup. I accept I may be on my own with that particular choice mind. After such a traumatic season I'm fairly certain the 'safe' options (Moyes/ Hughes) will most likely hold the biggest appeal for the powers that be. Can't blame them really.
-
After such a traumatic season I'm fairly certain the 'safe' options (Moyes/ Hughes) will most likely hold the biggest appeal for the powers that be. Can't blame them really.
I'm not sure. To paraphrase Paul Faulkner, "We wanted someone who would fit in with our philosophy - the Ajax approach, if you like"
-
Then maybe GH with a Laudrup/ Villasboas or even Queiroz (whatever happened to him?) would be the way to go.
-
Quieroz is now manager of Iran.
-
I'd imagine if Ged was staying on in a part-time capaity he'd be choosing his 'successor'.
He supposedly has a good relationship with Moyes, but I imagine it'll be someone from abroad if we go down the DoF route.
-
Patrick Barclay addresses this issue in The Times today, arguing that the best thing for Houllier is to get back in there at Villa, rather than be persuaded by anybody that his age means he should give way to a younger man 'for the future'.
Barclay argues that being wanted and expected back at work is more likely to help GH to a full recovery with renewed vigour than writing him off or assuming age-related decrepitude is imminent. I agree, wishing I could quote some of the article but it's a pay per view, apparently.
I respect Patrick Barclay as a journalist, but I'm not so sure his would be the advice i would reach for on medical matters.
-
After such a traumatic season I'm fairly certain the 'safe' options (Moyes/ Hughes) will most likely hold the biggest appeal for the powers that be. Can't blame them really.
I'm not sure. To paraphrase Paul Faulkner, "We wanted someone who would fit in with our philosophy - the Ajax approach, if you like"
Are they talking about Total Football and the Ajax Academy? What is "our philosophy"?
-
We need to get this man Ralph Rangnick from Schaalke. Failing that van Gaal will be fresh and ready. No need to look anywhere else.
Van gaal yes please.
Am I the only one that think Van Gaal is a heart attack waiting to happen? He certainly looks like he enjoys his daily fry-up washed down with a few pints.
GH's illness isn't directly football (stress) related, so I guess it all comes down to what the doctors recommend. Judging from the comments of Gary MacAllister, GH would love to be back tomorrow but sadly it won't be his decision. Whilst things haven't gone to plan this season, I do thing GH knows how to solve them. Missing out on Patrice Berges was obviously not part of the plan but something I expected him to address this summer.
My only misgiving about "going the Ajax way" is any new manager may think he has the time to build when in reality, as GH found out, you can build it but results on the pitch have to come first. At least with GH he now knows the score and despite having the backing of the board, he really won't want to put himself in a similar situation he found himself with the fans this season. I think he finally does 'get' what is Aston Villa and I'd be more than happy to see what he could do next season.
-
Please God, none of this 'Houllier upstairs' bollocks.
The 'DOF' idea is a non-starter, especially if Gerard's health and well being is suspect.
There are a lot of incomings/ougoings and new contracts to be sorted in the Summer, let's sort out a new man in ample time for this to be addressed.
I can see nothing but conflict going down the Director of football route.
As for the Ajax remark from Faulkner, I think we can put that in the 'meaningless soundbite with no substance behind it' category.
-
Ajax Approach ? whats that then?
-
scrub hard
-
I can only echo what has been said here about Houllier taking time to recover and then ensuring that his health
takes precedence over all other things.
As laudable as it is for the club to say that Gerrard can take all the time he needs to recover, I fear that it could prove to be very damaging for us. We cannot afford to waste another summer in limbo while those around us strengthen. Football is simply not the kind of business where you can get the deputy to stand in for long periods of time, with no visible sign of change; especially when your deputy is Gary Mc.
The simplest course of action would be to usher Gerrard upstairs into an advisory role, but then you will greatly restrict the managers who will be prepared to work under the shadow of someone upstairs. The more difficult path is to admit that we need to get a new boss and to look elsewhere. This is only ever going to happen if Gerrard confirms that he cannot continue for health reasons and that’s something he will be rightly reluctant to do given where we’ve come from and where he wants to take us.
The whole thing is being made even more problematical because unlike last summer, one of the most successful club managers around is available and he has stated on more than one occasion that he would love to manage in the Premiership one day. Louis Van Gaal could be a giant leap for Villa, but I suspect that the moral dilemma of replacing a man who’s just had a heart scare will rightly make an approach impossible.
-
My general awareness of Ajax's approach is they produce loads of good youngesters and sell them to big clubs to survive. So basicially we're using the feeder club approach if faulkner is to be believed.
-
Well I hope GH gets well soon and makes a full recovery, however I also would like us to look for another Manager. I thought this before this weeks news and am 100% certain we should now.
So this gives RL plenty of notice that we need a change, time to get working on it because if we hnadle another search for a Manager as badly as we did the last one, I will be seriously questioning RL's ability.
Van Gaal would be fantastic but not sure he'd come to a Club with no European football on offer. Forget Hiddink for similar reasons.
If we had to go for a current Premiership style boss then it'd be Moyes although id still look at Eriksson if he was 100% committed and not just looking to top up his pension.
-
My general awareness of Ajax's approach is they produce loads of good youngesters and sell them to big clubs to survive. So basicially we're using the feeder club approach if faulkner is to be believed.
Well typically, I think you're being a bit mischievous there don't you.
Ajax are the team that promoted 'Total Football' and won European Cups doing it. They have a philosophy based largely on home grown talent and are known as innovators within the game.
We're not totally dissimilar if you look at what we've achieved in our history.
-
My general awareness of Ajax's approach is they produce loads of good youngesters and sell them to big clubs to survive. So basicially we're using the feeder club approach if faulkner is to be believed.
That's about the top and bottom of it. They are the biggest club here and syphon up the majority of the Dutch league talent, hone their skills and then sell them on for huge fees. The list it pretty endless of players that have come through the Ajax system and will no doubt at the end of this summer includes the likes of Van Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel and Vertongen.
Re: Van Gaal and European football. Please remember that he went to AZ Alkmaar, a small club even by Dutch standards and with a free reign and a supportive board turned them into title winners.
-
My general awareness of Ajax's approach is they produce loads of good youngesters and sell them to big clubs to survive. So basicially we're using the feeder club approach if faulkner is to be believed.
Well typically, I think you're being a bit mischievous there don't you.
Ajax are the team that promoted 'Total Football' and won European Cups doing it. They have a philosophy based largely on home grown talent and are known as innovators within the game.
We're not totally dissimilar if you look at what we've achieved in our history.
Maybe, but once AJax were one of the big names in European competition. Now they seem content to supply the players for other club's attempts. Last great AJax side i can remember was in the mid-90's i think
-
My general awareness of Ajax's approach is they produce loads of good youngesters and sell them to big clubs to survive. So basicially we're using the feeder club approach if faulkner is to be believed.
Well typically, I think you're being a bit mischievous there don't you.
Ajax are the team that promoted 'Total Football' and won European Cups doing it. They have a philosophy based largely on home grown talent and are known as innovators within the game.
We're not totally dissimilar if you look at what we've achieved in our history.
Maybe, but once AJax were one of the big names in European competition. Now they seem content to supply the players for other club's attempts. Last great AJax side i can remember was in the mid-90's i think
To be fair though, that's mostly because of the disparity of income between their league and the major leagues in Europe.
-
My general awareness of Ajax's approach is they produce loads of good youngesters and sell them to big clubs to survive. So basicially we're using the feeder club approach if faulkner is to be believed.
So business as usual in other words
-
I think the big problem they have is retaining players in a Dutch League that doesn't have the glamour, competition or money that The Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga or Serie A have. The same applies to French and Portugesse clubs. Not a lot they could do about that.
-
Flip that argument over and factor in the more or less guaranteed lure / exposure of CL football year on year
-
Flip that argument over and factor in the more or less guaranteed lure / exposure of CL football year on year
Because it's worked for the jocks, hasn't it?
-
Please God, none of this 'Houllier upstairs' bollocks.
The 'DOF' idea is a non-starter, especially if Gerard's health and well being is suspect.
There are a lot of incomings/ougoings and new contracts to be sorted in the Summer, let's sort out a new man in ample time for this to be addressed.
I can see nothing but conflict going down the Director of football route.
As for the Ajax remark from Faulkner, I think we can put that in the 'meaningless soundbite with no substance behind it' category.
Faulkner may not have meant that Villa are copying the Ajax philosophy directly, we don't have the pick of the nations youth as Ajax do for a start. He may have meant that Villa appointed Houllier as manager because he fitted "our philosophy". That's why I asked, what is Faulkner's definition of "our philosophy"?
-
With the way transfer fees are overly inflated now, the way a Club like ours bridges the financial gap is developing players and selling them while their stock is high at a massively inflated price, then taking a step back, reinvesting it in more players and repeating the process.
We'll have probably brought in circa £50m for Barry, Ash and Milner.
Unfortunately we're still paying for some silly investments when we're close, so we won't see the benefits of it yet. But the Milner money alone allowed us to sign Makoun and Bent. If we'd have brought them two in for Jimmy during pre-season I bet we'd have been better for it.
-
Please God, none of this 'Houllier upstairs' bollocks.
The 'DOF' idea is a non-starter, especially if Gerard's health and well being is suspect.
There are a lot of incomings/ougoings and new contracts to be sorted in the Summer, let's sort out a new man in ample time for this to be addressed.
I can see nothing but conflict going down the Director of football route.
As for the Ajax remark from Faulkner, I think we can put that in the 'meaningless soundbite with no substance behind it' category.
I'd normally agree but some people are definitely cut out for role behind the scenes and Houllier is definitely one of them.
If the right manager is picked then there's no reason to think it couldn't be very beneficial for us.
I dont want a manager having to direct everything football related at our club but concentrate on playing matters.
With the best will in the world, staff and ambassador types aside, there are few football men behind the scenes at Villa.
It does work at other clubs. Particularly on the continent.
Its doomed to failure with tyrannical managers and meddling DOFs. But with better defined roles and the right people, I'm all for it.
I think the Ajax comment was all about the set up part and not the selling your stars part, although sometimes that's inevitable. Especially when you're on the way to becoming a major force and not there yet.
-
With the way transfer fees are overly inflated now, the way a Club like ours bridges the financial gap is developing players and selling them while their stock is high at a massively inflated price, then taking a step back, reinvesting it in more players and repeating the process.
We'll have probably brought in circa £50m for Barry, Ash and Milner.
Unfortunately we're still paying for some silly investments when we're close, so we won't see the benefits of it yet. But the Milner money alone allowed us to sign Makoun and Bent. If we'd have brought them two in for Jimmy during pre-season I bet we'd have been better for it.
I'm all for developing our own players, but if we keep selling them we'll never achieve anything. At some point we're going to need to be able to ward off the big boys successfully and actually build a winning team.
-
Please God, none of this 'Houllier upstairs' bollocks.
The 'DOF' idea is a non-starter, especially if Gerard's health and well being is suspect.
There are a lot of incomings/ougoings and new contracts to be sorted in the Summer, let's sort out a new man in ample time for this to be addressed.
I can see nothing but conflict going down the Director of football route.
As for the Ajax remark from Faulkner, I think we can put that in the 'meaningless soundbite with no substance behind it' category.
I'd normally agree but some people are definitely cut out for role behind the scenes and Houllier is definitely one of them.
If the right manager is picked then there's no reason to think it couldn't be very beneficial for us.
I dont want a manager having to direct everything football related at our club but concentrate on playing matters.
With the best will in the world, staff and ambassador types aside, there are few football men behind the scenes at Villa.
It does work at other clubs. Particularly on the continent.
Its doomed to failure with tyrannical managers and meddling DOFs. But with better defined roles and the right people, I'm all for it.
I think the Ajax comment was all about the set up part and not the selling your stars part, although sometimes that's inevitable. Especially when you're on the way to becoming a major force and not there yet.
It would have to be a choice of Houllier's then, otherwise I don't see how it could work.
Otherwise we might well pick a Manager who has totally diffrent ideas on training, contracts and tactics to Gerard.
-
Am I the only one who doesn't want Moyes?
I don't want Moyes either.
-
Please God, none of this 'Houllier upstairs' bollocks.
The 'DOF' idea is a non-starter, especially if Gerard's health and well being is suspect.
There are a lot of incomings/ougoings and new contracts to be sorted in the Summer, let's sort out a new man in ample time for this to be addressed.
I can see nothing but conflict going down the Director of football route.
As for the Ajax remark from Faulkner, I think we can put that in the 'meaningless soundbite with no substance behind it' category.
I'd normally agree but some people are definitely cut out for role behind the scenes and Houllier is definitely one of them.
If the right manager is picked then there's no reason to think it couldn't be very beneficial for us.
I dont want a manager having to direct everything football related at our club but concentrate on playing matters.
With the best will in the world, staff and ambassador types aside, there are few football men behind the scenes at Villa.
It does work at other clubs. Particularly on the continent.
Its doomed to failure with tyrannical managers and meddling DOFs. But with better defined roles and the right people, I'm all for it.
I think the Ajax comment was all about the set up part and not the selling your stars part, although sometimes that's inevitable. Especially when you're on the way to becoming a major force and not there yet.
It would have to be a choice of Houllier's then, otherwise I don't see how it could work.
Otherwise we might well pick a Manager who has totally diffrent ideas on training, contracts and tactics to Gerard.
Agreed. Unless he is compatable there is no point.
I'd trust Houllier to pick the right man too.
-
Am I the only one who doesn't want Moyes?
I don't want Moyes either.
I started a poll a while back (after Wolves at home I think) and Moyes was 2nd favourite with Coyle leading the vote.
However, Moyes would be my own choice.
-
I respect Moyes but my god is he dour.
He makes granite look like marshmallow and he also seems to be in monotone when all around is colour.
I'm not sure about the way his teams start playing November either but he's definitely a good manager.
-
Am I the only one who doesn't want Moyes?
Too much Everton baggage for me, would prefer Jol, Koeman or maybe even McLaren
And no to Coyle also, he hasn't got a good enough CV for the Villa job
Feel free to list the highlights of your candidates cv's that justify their consideration for The Villa job.
-
I'd be concerened about Moyes style of play, it's a tad negative at times.
Lambert is a possibility, but very much an unknown quantity.
Whoever it is, I hope it's somebody younger, Gerard and O'Neill were getting on a bit.
-
Could we afford to keep Houllier as a DOF? He's probably on around £3m pa and a new coach would want the same sort of money.
-
I have one big concern, Allardyce, I just hope he's appointed as West Ham manager very quickly so he can't even be considered.
Other than that I take the view that you simply have to trust the board's judgment in appointing the right man or in this case keeping who they view as the right man.
Naive possibly, but allows me to worry about something else.
-
The amount of comments on this thread suggesting that Ged's missus will have 'the major say' in how much time he spends at Villa Park explains a great deal..........
-
The amount of comments on this thread suggesting that Ged's missus will have 'the major say' in how much time he spends at Villa Park explains a great deal..........
Go on...
-
My missus does!
-
The big worry for me would be I'd GED recommended Gary mac to the board.
-
The big worry for me would be I'd GED recommended Gary mac to the board.
A concern I'd share.
He's known to be friends with Moyes, so even if he has some loyalty to G-Mac he'd surely have to admit Moyes is the better manager!
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
-
I really think moyes could do with a new challenge and would be tempted by a move to villa - one would hope that either way a decision is reached at the end of the season as to whether Gerard will or will not continue in the job, as we have a lot of wheeling and dealing to do in the summer.
I find it difficult to believe that he would return to such a stressful job given his health issues and history.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
My worry is that they'll give Gerard too long to make his mind up / recuperate and we'll be stuck with GM well into next season.
I know that sounds a bit heartless, but the club has to move forward. If GH doesn't feel medically up to it, then we have to move on, or at least be prepared to.
-
I know that sounds a bit heartless, but the club has to move forward. If GH doesn't feel medically up to it, then we have to move on, or at least be prepared to.
I don't think it's heartless and totally agree with you.
Despite my less than favourable opinion on the job he's done with us, I've always considered Houllier to be an honourable man and expect that he'll put the club first by not labouring a decision.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
My worry is that they'll give Gerard too long to make his mind up / recuperate and we'll be stuck with GM well into next season.
I know that sounds a bit heartless, but the club has to move forward. If GH doesn't feel medically up to it, then we have to move on, or at least be prepared to.
Totally agree. This season has been truly awful. Everything that could go wrong has, including the manager falling sick, which was always a possibility given his background. To even consider keeping GH - fit or not is too risky. This appointment has failed. The board must start to look to the future asap.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
My worry is that they'll give Gerard too long to make his mind up / recuperate and we'll be stuck with GM well into next season.
I know that sounds a bit heartless, but the club has to move forward. If GH doesn't feel medically up to it, then we have to move on, or at least be prepared to.
Totally agree. This season has been truly awful. Everything that could go wrong has, including the manager falling sick, which was always a possibility given his background. To even consider keeping GH - fit or not is too risky. This appointment has failed. The board must start to look to the future asap.
I disagree with that bit.
I'd give him a season, but only if he's in sufficiently good health to do it. If he's going to take a chunk of next season to recuperate, then I think we should move forward with someone else.
-
I honestly can't see the Doctor's giving him the green light to carry on managing, but we'll see.
As Paulie says above, let's hope the club move swiftly and avoid a repeat of the early season debacle.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
-
As Paulie says above, let's hope the club move swiftly and avoid a repeat of the early season debacle.
In order for the club not to look like 'heartless bastards', I think the decision should come from Houllier (perhaps with the help of his wife and doctors) before the club moved swiftly or otherwise.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
That seems a very long time ago now.
Usually when you say that in relation to a bad thing, it means good stuff has happened since to make it seem that way, but in this case, it has been largely constant shitness, and yet it still seems a long time ago.
-
Two heart related problems is surely too serious to ignore. I can't see him managing again, and it isn't insensitive to wish him the best while looking for his replacement.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
If we had beaten Newcastle it would have been 3 wins and a draw from his first four games and most of us would have been backing the appointment!
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
For certain.
-
Two heart related problems is surely too serious to ignore. I can't see him managing again, and it isn't insensitive to wish him the best while looking for his replacement.
I agree. Without feeling even more insensitive, I see no reason to offer him a meaningless 'upstairs' job either.
-
Two heart related problems is surely too serious to ignore. I can't see him managing again, and it isn't insensitive to wish him the best while looking for his replacement.
I agree. Without feeling even more insensitive, I see no reason to offer him a meaningless 'upstairs' job either.
No, nor me.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
If we had beaten Newcastle it would have been 3 wins and a draw from his first four games and most of us would have been backing the appointment!
A lot of people forget the fact that in those heady days prior to that match many of us wanted Kevin Mac to keep the job.
Christ. It's been a long old season. Seems like years ago that we beat West Ham.
-
Although we picked up points under keV mac we were dreadful against everton, slammed 6-0 at Newcastle and lost to a poor rapid Vienna side , besides losing at Stoke- only in the west ham game did we look decent and that against a dreadful team and with Milner still here- I'd hasten to add if keV mac had been given the job I think we would already be down by now.
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
If we had beaten Newcastle it would have been 3 wins and a draw from his first four games and most of us would have been backing the appointment!
A lot of people forget the fact that in those heady days prior to that match many of us wanted Kevin Mac to keep the job.
Christ. It's been a long old season. Seems like years ago that we beat West Ham.
Yep, 10 days is a long time in football.
-
Really don't want Moyes having thought about it more. Just such a boring appointment, no intrigue, just a rehash of MON.
I would sooner give Benitez a go than Moyes.
Given the alternatives, I hope GED comes back.
-
I said somewhere else I'm torn on Moyes. Is he boring and lacking creativity because he pulled the last rabbit out of his hole a good while back in order to keep Everton competitive? Maybe he's just taken it as far as he can go up there and the change will reinvigorate him. My impression is he'll make us solid every year much like MON did. Can he push us over the edge with extra resources that he doesn't have at Everton, that he would have with us? I just don't know.
-
Really don't want Moyes having thought about it more. Just such a boring appointment, no intrigue, just a rehash of MON.
I would sooner give Benitez a go than Moyes.
Given the alternatives, I hope GED comes back.
My thoughts exactly, ozz.
-
What encourages me about Moyes is that he has modified the style and approach of his teams over the years. Yes, they still offer a physical threat. And have niggly barstewards like Cahill and Fellaini in the side.
But they can play it on the ground too, certainly more so than in his earlier seasons and have made us look like mugs at times in recent years (though the scoreboard hasn't always demonstrated that).
What puts me off is:
(1) Their consistently slow starts to the season. Whether it's due to a lack of preparation/ conditioning in the summer or he whether he just can't a reaction early enough into the campaign I'm not sure. Either way, it's occurred a few too many times to be completely overlooked.
(2) Persisting with absolute shithouses like Neville, Hibbert and Anichebe.
(3) The dourness of the bloke. This might be the most irrational reason of all, but he's hard to listen to for any length of time.
On balance though, I think he probably is the best candidate and should be gettable If we're of a mind to pursue it this time. I don't think it's necessarily nailed on that he'd take some of his better players with him though -that would be too much for Everton to countenance. And I wonder if he can have the desired impact at a different club with a different set of players.
In many ways, the financial constraints at Everton can be viewed as as much of a blessing than a curse. Currently, they're probably the smallest 'big' club in the land. Little is expected because of Kenright and the lack of progress re new investment and 6th/7th can almost be viewed as an achievement. He won't get that insurance here, at least not past the first year or two.
-
moyes needs a new challenge and he won't get a top 4 job in all likelihood because he's a brit. He got them to 4th on a comparitive shoestring but didn't have the finances to capitalise. We've been very similar sides in terms of ability over the MON years, the main difference is Moyes could never afford a top striker or strength in depth while MON wouldn't buy a top striker and bought bollocks for reserves
-
The board would not allow McAllister to be manager in a milion years. They're not experienced football people but they're not naive either.
If somebody takes over from Houllier he will have to have some clout as a top flight manager.
I'd say if Newcastle hadn't spanked us 6-0 that Kevin MacDonald would be our manager now.
Or if he hadnt took so long deciding if he wanted it. I take the point though and I was one who was supportive of giving him a go, even after that bollocking.
But that's by the by now and we have to move on.
There's time enough to see how Houllier recovers and what he wants to do next. I'd like him to stay on for the sake of continuity and if thats a backseat or upstairs role, so be it. I think he's one of the few who'd do it justice too.
In the meantime there's no shame wondering or speculating on our future.
-
Patrick Barclay addresses this issue in The Times today, arguing that the best thing for Houllier is to get back in there at Villa, rather than be persuaded by anybody that his age means he should give way to a younger man 'for the future'.
Barclay argues that being wanted and expected back at work is more likely to help GH to a full recovery with renewed vigour than writing him off or assuming age-related decrepitude is imminent. I agree, wishing I could quote some of the article but it's a pay per view, apparently.
I respect Patrick Barclay as a journalist, but I'm not so sure his would be the advice i would reach for on medical matters.
Agree,especially given the latest bulletins from the QE. However, GH still has to make up his own mind. I know the temptation for everybody to think of possible alternatives is strong but given the title of this thread I'd like to think that GH still has some say in what he is going to do and how he sees the future for what is still his team and his squad. Maybe he can still bounce back. That's still my preferred option!
-
However, GH still has to make up his own mind. I know the temptation for everybody to think of possible alternatives is strong but given the title of this thread I'd like to think that GH still has some say in what he is going to do and how he sees the future for what is still his team and his squad. Maybe he can still bounce back. That's still my preferred option!
Agreed. Need to see when Ged gets out of hostpital, how he feels and what advice he gets. Demanding the club 'gets its arse in gear' as regards a replacement before these things happen would be 'indecent haste'.
-
I'd like to see GH get a crack at the new season but its the whole timescale really. Realistically he has to be back by the end of the season as this is a vital summer for us. The best case scenario is the doctor gives him the all clear and say's his health is at least as good as before he went in, but even then i'd imagine they'd want him to have a complete rest for at least a couple of months
-
What encourages me about Moyes is that he has modified the style and approach of his teams over the years. Yes, they still offer a physical threat. And have niggly barstewards like Cahill and Fellaini in the side.
But they can play it on the ground too, certainly more so than in his earlier seasons and have made us look like mugs at times in recent years (though the scoreboard hasn't always demonstrated that).
What puts me off is:
(1) Their consistently slow starts to the season. Whether it's due to a lack of preparation/ conditioning in the summer or he whether he just can't a reaction early enough into the campaign I'm not sure. Either way, it's occurred a few too many times to be completely overlooked.
(2) Persisting with absolute shithouses like Neville, Hibbert and Anichebe.
(3) The dourness of the bloke. This might be the most irrational reason of all, but he's hard to listen to for any length of time.
On balance though, I think he probably is the best candidate and should be gettable If we're of a mind to pursue it this time. I don't think it's necessarily nailed on that he'd take some of his better players with him though -that would be too much for Everton to countenance. And I wonder if he can have the desired impact at a different club with a different set of players.
In many ways, the financial constraints at Everton can be viewed as as much of a blessing than a curse. Currently, they're probably the smallest 'big' club in the land. Little is expected because of Kenright and the lack of progress re new investment and 6th/7th can almost be viewed as an achievement. He won't get that insurance here, at least not past the first year or two.
The think about the Everton sides Moyes puts out is that they are organised, hard working and competitive - get the impression he's a great motivator. These are the qualities I find most lacking in Gezza. Where he has a weakness is a limited style of football and no real flare, which may be down to financial constraints, and these are the areas Gezza seems strong in.
So, in many respects a combination of Moyes as manager and Gezza as DOF may be ideal. Add the idea of him bringing some of his own players in and we may be looking at, in a 4-2-3-1:-
Robinson (Not a Moyes player - just my choice)
Walker
Lescott
Collins
Baines
Fellani
Makoun
Albrighton
Delph
Downing
Bent
-
There's certain things he can do from his bed over the next month by delegation ie. release Friedel, return Bradley, offer NRC a new deal etc etc, also if he and GM already have their potential summer targets listed, it'll be over PF to get the negotiations going, so feasibly he could come back July time and we'd be ok
-
You can take off the admin burden to an extent, but there's decisions a manager has to make everyday that no-one else can. Doesn't really matter if you're propped up in bed or in an office, its not really a complete rest is it Wiki?
-
There's certain things he can do from his bed over the next month
None of which he'd be allowed to do if he's ordered to rest. Lying in a hospital bed or sitting behind a desk - stress is stress!
-
It's a shame that these health problems have came at this time. I felt that GHs methods & signings etc were just starting to show.
I think he'd be great to keep at the club in some sort of advisory role. His scouting network & long term plans were obviously part of the reasons why he got the job, and previously he was said to have revolutionised Liverpool behind the scenes.
-
One school of thought is that getting back to work can be the best tonic for ill health.
-
There's certain things he can do from his bed over the next month
I can't see why they can't wheel him to the dugout in a gurney, strap him in and prop him up, Hannibal Lector style.
-
or a wheelchair with a Recaro seat ?
-
Wasn't he ringing with tactics/team formations even when he was at his worst on Fri/Sat according to Gary Mac,I don't think he can stop himself
-
To be fair, I'd probably be on the verge of a heart attack if i had to allow GaryMac complete control of the side rather than phoning him up to help.
-
To be fair, I'd probably be on the verge of a heart attack if i had to allow GaryMac complete control of the side rather than phoning him up to help.
Chuckles.
-
I just don't want a British manager for the simple reason that I can't think of one who'd carry on GH's project with the same sort of idea. In my view, if GH can't continue as manager he needs to go upstairs and he needs to be involved in the recruitment of the next manager. We need someone he can work with, someone with new ideas, someone with a bit of excitement about them.
-
If he is available and if we can afford it...maybe we could hire Louis van Gaal.
I can dream.
-
Hiddink would still be my choice.
-
at this stage of their careers neither Van Gaal or Hiddink would come to what they would consider a poxy mid-table English football club that's not even in Europe let alone the CL like us. Harsh, but the truth nonetheless. I think if we are to go continental we'd have to take a flyer on a rising star. A bit like Mourinho was when he won it all with Porto.
-
Hiddink would still be my choice.
I'd prefer van Gaal in terms of age (he's 5 years younger) and his success at club level football. Seems like an arrogant fucker though.
-
Arrogance goes with the territory with these top coaches, see Mourinhio, SAF
-
at this stage of their careers neither Van Gaal or Hiddink would come to what they would consider a poxy mid-table English football club that's not even in Europe let alone the CL like us. Harsh, but the truth nonetheless. I think if we are to go continental we'd have to take a flyer on a rising star. A bit like Mourinho was when he won it all with Porto.
Yeah, probably. But trying to unearth the next Mourinho/Ferguson will be a next to impossible task. And even then we'd only just see him for about 4-5 seasons. The best thing for us to do is not to strive to be better, just putter along in mid-table for the rest of eternity, changing managers every 4 seasons. Ah, now that's the Villa I like.
:P
-
Just back from work, is it true that Gerard has been given the all clear regarding his heart, and does this mean he is likely to continue as manager?
-
Just back from work, is it true that Gerard has been given the all clear regarding his heart, and does this mean he is likely to continue as manager?
he'll be released from hospital in the next few days. We won't see him again this season on the touchline, though I imagine he'll be at the last home game of the season in some capacity, ironically against Liverpool where his major heart issues began off course. The club/GH will likely make a decision on the long term picture in the new few weeks once they've had time to reflect.
-
at this stage of their careers neither Van Gaal or Hiddink would come to what they would consider a poxy mid-table English football club that's not even in Europe let alone the CL like us. Harsh, but the truth nonetheless. I think if we are to go continental we'd have to take a flyer on a rising star. A bit like Mourinho was when he won it all with Porto.
It's not about getting the 'best' manager out there but the 'right' manager for Aston Villa.
Take Ron Saunders, sacked by Norwich and Man City, came to Villa and understood the potential, the work necessary to achieve success, had aplan and executed it. The rest is history. Mourinho could turn up at Villa Park tomorrow but I doubt he would ever make us European champions. We'd probably be difficult to beat and win lots of games 1-0 but we'd probably complain about something or other.
I think Randy Lerner got it right when he appointed Houllier, it's just that we never got his defence coach Patrice Bergues along too. Just imagine what this season could have been with a solid defence. Sad, isn't it?
-
Mark, also don't underestimate the work of phil Thompson with houllier at anfield, Thompson did a splendid job as boss during gerards long abscence and he was a key part of organising the defence at anfield- in fact when GED took the villa job thommo had agreed to join him and gave notice to sky only to change his mind after discussing it with his wife for family reasons.
I think if Thompson and bergues had arrived here we would have had a much better season.
-
Thompson had/has a lot of respect at Anfield and being GH's "heavy" carried more weight in the dressing room than McAllister has with us. He's also a better coach and a former defender to boot.
Mark, I agree entirely. I hope GH is able to continue above all else. I think we are starting to see the shoots of what has brought to the club. He believes in youth development, in discipline, and buying quality. I think three things we can all live with. If he gets the summer to rid the garden of the weeds, and then brings in some of his own players and coaches, then we'd see a big difference next season.
I have never seen reason to question his drive and commitment, despite the fact th he's made some errors along the way. I think his mind is as sharp as ever. I just don't know if his body can keep up.
-
If he is available and if we can afford it...maybe we could hire Louis van Gaal.
You can see why the Dutch A-Team never really took off....
-
If he is available and if we can afford it...maybe we could hire Louis van Gaal.
You can see why the Dutch A-Team never really took off....
Very good.
-
If he is available and if we can afford it...maybe we could hire Louis van Gaal.
You can see why the Dutch A-Team never really took off....
you bastard. Now I have the A-Team theme tune in my head for the rest of the day. Louis Van Gaal as Hannibal, Stephen Ireland as Howling Mad Murdock, John Carew as Face, and NRC as BA.
-
The think about the Everton sides Moyes puts out is that they are organised, hard working and competitive - get the impression he's a great motivator. These are the qualities I find most lacking in Gezza. Where he has a weakness is a limited style of football and no real flare, which may be down to financial constraints, and these are the areas Gezza seems strong in.
So, in many respects a combination of Moyes as manager and Gezza as DOF may be ideal. Add the idea of him bringing some of his own players in and we may be looking at, in a 4-2-3-1:-
Robinson (Not a Moyes player - just my choice)
Walker
Lescott
Collins
Baines
Fellani
Makoun
Albrighton
Delph
Downing
Bent
See, I just couldn't imagine Everton being receptive to allowing the likes of Baines and Fellaini go - on the off chance that they do actually release Moyes (by no means a given). It would be too much to stomach, particularly if they bailed to the same club that he did.
So what you'd be hoping for is that Moyes has had his eye on a few players over the years and follows up on those deals, with the financial restrictions removed. He's spotted some bargains over the years but -in truth- they were largely closer to the start of his tenure. Some of his more recent deals -particularly the big money ones- have probably been more miss than hit.
I know even the mention of Mark Hughes' name has a few on this site breaking out in a cold sweat but the more I think about it the more the idea has merit. He's had a positive impact at most of the sides he's managed; getting Wales, Blackburn and Man City to perform above the level they were at when he arrived. As a manager you can't really ask for more than that. Admittedly this might have been a bit easier at Citeh with their financial resources. But with that comes it's own pressure (a pressure he seemed to be managing reasonably well until the owners got impatient).
The core of that Citeh side currently going for 4th are made up of his signings, and most of them were unhappy to see him depart. You'd also like to think that if he got a gig as big as the Villa he'd be itching to prove Garry Cook and all that lot wrong. His playing career marks him out as a winner, so it's unlikely that he'd want to come to a club such as ours and settle.
Even at Fulham, despite having a number of key players out injured throughout the season he has them on course to finish roughly where they did under Hodgson - quite possibly higher than we'll manage this year despite spending infinitely more.
-
Why is there still such speculation about a new manager when houlliers dr has said his heart is working perfectly normal? I would expect given his condition being much better than expected that he would be eager to carry on and Reshape his squad in the summer.
-
Why is there still such speculation about a new manager when houlliers dr has said his heart is working perfectly normal? I would expect given his condition being much better than expected that he would be eager to carry on and Reshape his squad in the summer.
Because although his heart is working normally, a dissected aorta is a very serious condition to have.
-
Why is there still such speculation about a new manager when houlliers dr has said his heart is working perfectly normal? I would expect given his condition being much better than expected that he would be eager to carry on and Reshape his squad in the summer.
Agree Eastie, i an ideal world this is how things will pan out, even if it means there's a team of paramedics on permanent standby
-
With something like a 10-14 year life expectancy for a high percentage of those who undergo the work he had in 2001, hiring him in the first place increasingly looks like a gamble not worth chancing. That might sound cold/ harsh but it's not intended to be.
To continue, and ignore this latest development would be even more reckless -for him and for us.
-
Retirement will bring its own different stresses so that is not necessarily the answer for GED
-
Doing a bit of scouting for us, some low key admin work and working on his tan in sunnier climes might be a wee bit better for his health than taking dogs abuse from the Trinity Road mob in the midst of a grim English winter.
-
There is simply no way he can carry on being a Premier Manager with that condition.
I don't mean to sound insensitive, impatient or selfish, but it's simply not realistic for a 63 year old man with such a serious condition to put himself through the wringer every Saturday.
The sooner the inevitable decision is made, the better.
-
Retirement will bring its own different stresses so that is not necessarily the answer for GED
Bearing in mind the last two times that he's been rushed to hospital have been whilst he's been in charge of a Premiership Football Team, the chances are he'll stay healthier doing something less stressful.
-
Lambert's the man. The fella at Reading is highly regarded. Martinez is probably better than Wigan's performance this season would suggest.
Grayson may be prised from Leeds.
The point being that if there is a senior role for GH at VP following convalescence, a junior manager might work.
-
I would prefer a gamble on a younger man with GED as DOF than a Moyes.
-
If he can't continue or can continue let's hope for a clear decision soon , we have a busy ahead and uncertainty will cause chaos as there are contracts to sort and transfers to conduct , we need a decision by end of season.
-
Just browsed several sites and seems that rumours are gathering about rafa Benitez , several sites are saying GED will retire and Benitez take over- not sure what to make of that if it happens.
-
I'm really not at all interested in Benitez.
-
Do you think he may have been throwing his hat in the ring in this interview with his mate Guillem Balague?
I want a Premier League job - Clicky (http://www.skysports.com/tv_show/story/0,20144,12385_6899944,00.html)
-
Maybe so maz but what counts is whether randy will be ?
-
Benitez lost the plot towards the end at Liverpool and did'nt last very long at Inter. No ta.
-
Maybe so maz but what counts is whether randy will be ?
No, my opinion is more important than Randy's.
-
McLaren may just be the man
-
I'm really not at all interested in Benitez.
He will be gutted. I saw an interview with him saying that he was holding out for a date with Mazrim, or H&V and heavy rock. Something about lookalikes or something.
Benitez is an intriguing case. Wants to manage in the premier league again, has as good pedigree as Houllier but is significantly younger, been manager of Inter, Valencia and Liverpool, so it would be a coup somewhat to get him.
-
I'm really not at all interested in Benitez.
He will be gutted. I saw an interview with him saying that he was holding out for a date with Mazrim, or H&V and heavy rock. Something about lookalikes or something.
Benitez is an intriguing case. Wants to manage in the premier league again, has as good pedigree as Houllier but is significantly younger, been manager of Inter, Valencia and Liverpool, so it would be a coup somewhat to get him.
His record is good athough I think he's on a downward spiral. Then again, when I see people recommend McLaren I would welcome Fatty Benitez like a long lost favourite waiter.
-
I don't think we're in a position to turn down European Cup & La Liga winners if we've got a vacancy.
-
Particularly someone who won La liga with someone other than Theltic or Rangieros
-
I dont know. Maybe. I shouldn't let the fact I dont really like the bloke sway me, true. But then I get this image of him taking Torres off and throwing Eggnog on with his players looking at each other in disbelief and think he might just have gone a bit mental over the last year or two.
Plus he went to one of the best teams in Europe and made a bollocks of it. However, his record is impressive and he would deserve consideration.
-
I dont know. Maybe. I shouldn't let the fact I dont really like the bloke sway me, true. But then I get this image of him taking Torres off and throwing Eggnog on with his players looking at each other in disbelief and think he might just have gone a bit mental over the last year or two.
Plus he went to one of the best teams in Europe and made a bollocks of it. However, his record is impressive and he would deserve consideration.
Not only that, some of his signings towards the end of his time at Liverpool were a bit suspect. £20m on Robbie Keane, £18m on Aquilani, £18m on Glen Johnson, then you've got the likes of Ngog, Babel, Lucas etc. Reina, Alonso and Torres were three highlights mind you.
-
I dont know. Maybe. I shouldn't let the fact I dont really like the bloke sway me, true. But then I get this image of him taking Torres off and throwing Eggnog on with his players looking at each other in disbelief and think he might just have gone a bit mental over the last year or two.
Plus he went to one of the best teams in Europe and made a bollocks of it. However, his record is impressive and he would deserve consideration.
I definitely thought he was losing it in the last season at Liverpool, but he was working for that pair of knobheads.
And it can't be easy to follow Mourinho, but yes, he should have done better there.
I reckon there's still an excellent manager in there somewhere. But then again I reckon there are a fair few bags of pork scratchings in there too.
-
Just browsed several sites and seems that rumours are gathering about rafa Benitez , several sites are saying GED will retire and Benitez take over- not sure what to make of that if it happens.
Seen a few Everton sites and they think Moyes to Villa is on, so who knows.
Really not sure I'd want another manager with a Liverpool infatuation making puppydog eyes at them whenever we're up there. Or thinking we should be grateful that he'd lower himself to to take the gig.
-
I would bet he is in credit on the money spent/ received though following the Torres departure, and Ngog is a decent young player, while Babbel at the time looked like he was set to be a phenomenal player. Keane was an odd signing and they lost 5 million or so in 6 months, while Aquilani had a very good reputation and replacing Alonso was always going to be hard.
They will near on get their money back on Johnson when he goes to Spurs I reckon too, and Reina is a phenomenal keeper. Think he would do quite well for us, certainly sort out the defence. Much more interesting than Moyes IMO.
-
I would bet he is in credit on the money spent/ received though following the Torres departure, and Ngog is a decent young player, while Babbel at the time looked like he was set to be a phenomenal player. Keane was an odd signing and they lost 5 million or so in 6 months, while Aquilani had a very good reputation and replacing Alonso was always going to be hard.
They will near on get their money back on Johnson when he goes to Spurs I reckon too, and Reina is a phenomenal keeper. Think he would do quite well for us, certainly sort out the defence. Much more interesting than Moyes IMO.
Firstly, for a so called decent young player, Ngog has'nt pulled up any trees at Anfield at all. Babel was a striker in Holland but he played him on the wing. Alonso might have been an hard act to follow but blowing all the money he got for him on 1 player who flopped badly was a bit of a clanger and i'd be surprised if Spuds paid £18m for Glen Johnson, although i hope they do if it means them letting Walker go.
-
I'd be very happy with Benitez as manager.
-
Particularly someone who won La liga with someone other than Theltic or Rangieros
This made me chuckle!
-
Seen a few Everton sites and they think Moyes to Villa is on, so who knows.
Really? What's been said and how credible?
-
Rodwell off> Moyes not happy > Moyes to Villa is about the size of it Maz.
Not sure how credible it is, but claims that there had been contact even pre GH healthscare and Moyes was receptive to the idea.
-
Where's Rodwell supposedly going?
-
My guess would be man united.
People seem to want the club to make a public decision. I think it would be prudent to not say anything right now as either decision could 1 change 2 lead to media speculation. Whilst it may not please us villa fans but saying nothing will allow villa to go about things behind the scenes with limited press speculation. I'm sure this will be the case - either way - so we'll just have to be patient.
-
I tend to agree.
No point rushing things -at least publicly. Make sure GH is OK, see the season out and go from there.
Won't stop the speculation though. Even if we want to keep things quiet, there is a good chance that the manager we're after is currently under contract and there will be whispers circulating from that end.
The Moyes/Rodwell thing, Hughes not signing an extension at Fulham and so on.
-
Hiddink would still be my choice.
Have you any idea how much Hiddick is on? Triple GH's salary.
-
Do you think he may have been throwing his hat in the ring in this interview with his mate Guillem Balague?
I want a Premier League job - Clicky (http://www.skysports.com/tv_show/story/0,20144,12385_6899944,00.html)
Crikey, just a bit. Even down to talking about academies.
We cant sniff at managers with his pedigree, but if the Houllier / Liverpool love-in rankled, it'd be 100 times worse with Benitez.
-
I would be happy with Benitez, but happier with Moyes.
-
Not that many exciting managers out there really.
Big question marks over Moyes and Benitez.
-
I wouldn't touch Benitez with a barge pole, I'd rather Ged stayed if the choice was given.
-
If there is a change, I would like a manager that continues the philosophy that Houllier has been trying to install in the club in terms of the playing style, structure, promotion of the young players etc. Although its been a car crash of a season, I've seen enough to have been optimistic about the types of players we would have been going for in the summer and the potential for the new season.
It would set us back 12 months if someone came in and just abandoned that progress and started again.
To my mind, Benitez would be closer to that than Moyes.
-
I nthink Paul Faulkner & Randy Lerner will have to cancel their summer holidays
-
Hiddink would still be my choice.
Have you any idea how much Hiddick is on? Triple GH's salary.
No, I dont go around finding out how much managers are paid. Turkey are paying him a fortune then? Probably explains why he took that job.
Oh well. I rate him but not that highly.
-
If Moyes's teams play football that is negative and dour, then Benitez is Mr Comatose city.
-
I've got a feeling Hiddink will be the next Chelsea manager.
-
I've got a feeling Hiddink will be the next Chelsea manager.
Me too, with Ancelotti going to Man City to replace Mancini who I think will go back to Italy with Juventus.
-
Is it just me that thinks Everton have played pretty good football this season?
They played us off the pitch at VP, create loads of chances and then someone like Beckford just falls over.
-
Benitez will be in the frame
-
I'm not sure how I feel about it but I can kind of see Moyes getting the job.
It just seems... likely somehow.
-
Moyes might be the right bloke. He might just need a change after so many years in one place. It must be shit knowing that you're so close to something, but the board simply cannot support your ambitions or needs. He'll make us tough to beat. He just needs to tell the players to start playing football in August, not December/January because for whatever reason, he's not started a season off that well for a few years now. That has to change.
-
Why you shouldn't expect to see Houllier in the Villa dugout again, and who will replace him!
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/james-nursey/James-Nursey-on-Aston-Villa-Why-you-shouldn-t-expect-to-see-Gerard-Houllier-in-the-dugout-again-and-why-Rafa-Benitez-and-Steve-McClaren-are-favourites-to-replace-hism-this-summer-article729207.html
-
It might be that Everton have rarely carried any momentum into a season from a busy transfer window. It rarely gets shaken up. I dont know if that makes sense or not.
-
If it is true that we're after Benitez and McClaren, that would rather look like the cheap option of going for someone who is out of work, not necessarily the best man.
-
I'd think Sid is worth a shot. He has seen how a team is built steadily over time under Saunders. Bent is Withe, Albrighton is Morley, Bazza is Sid etc....
-
Benitez, van Gaal and McLaren are out of work. McLaren does scrub up to either of the other two and I'd hope he wouldnt be considered. After his Dutch language skills I cant help but feel he's an absolute clown too.
But I think Randy will be looking at the Super dour duo of Moyes and Hughes. Of those two Moyes stands head and shoulders above.
I'd love it to be van Gaal though.
-
I'd love it to be van Gaal though.
That would still fit with the Faulkner idea of the Ajax model.
-
Actually, Muttley is out of work too isn't he?
Fun trivia: he has a brother called "Cock".
-
Wouldn't be that unhappy with either McLaren or Benitez.
Would like better but both have a decent enough record.
-
If it is true that we're after Benitez and McClaren, that would rather look like the cheap option of going for someone who is out of work, not necessarily the best man.
Benitez won the Champions League 6 years ago, and has just been managing Inter Milan. He's not going to be cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
In all this, the important thing is not solely that we make the right decision, but that we make a decision as soon as we can. We absolutely can not afford any pissing about or confusion ("well, I haven't signed a contract yet, I might start next week, or maybe the week after") this time around like we had earlier this season.
Personally, I would be happy for GH to come back, and I suspect that is Lerner's preference, but if the guy is unable to do so on medical grounds now, it isn't as if he's going to be in a much better position to do so in two months time - it is a serious condition he has, not something that is going to get better in a hurry.
Last time around we were fishing in a pool with the likes of Pardew, Curbishley, Sven - desperately uninspiring stuff. This time around, if we're looking for a new manager at the start of the summer, we are in an infinitely better position to get one, than we would be later on.
Take someone like Moyes - he's now another year on at Everton and closer to wanting a change of scenery, too, but if we were to approach him, we'd be asking him to leave Bill Kenwright, not to to leave him AND drop him right in the shit.
-
I know that Randy is a fan of Moyes.
-
Why you shouldn't expect to see Houllier in the Villa dugout again, and who will replace him!
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/james-nursey/James-Nursey-on-Aston-Villa-Why-you-shouldn-t-expect-to-see-Gerard-Houllier-in-the-dugout-again-and-why-Rafa-Benitez-and-Steve-McClaren-are-favourites-to-replace-hism-this-summer-article729207.html
I agree with his assessment of Gezza's ability to continue in the job, but not who he nominates for a successor. My choice was and still is Moyes*
(*unless we can land a top foreign coach, such as van Gaal)
-
I'd trust Benitez to add soom Kwallitee to the Eskwad.
-
I don't want us being called a cloob, ta.
-
Sky sports reckon Hughes and Moyes are wanted by RL, i'd prefer Moyes myself.
-
Depends which Benitez shows up. If it's the Valencia Benitez, who played brilliant attacking football, who brought through Silva and Villa and somehow made Vicente live up to his potential for a while, who took a team which had just sold its two most important players in Mendieta Claudio Lopez to the La Liga title, then great. If it's the bungler, the defensive-minded, youth-blocking, money-wasting, opposition-disrespecting parody of himself who turned up at Liverpool, then no thanks.
-
I wouldn't worry what sky about it- they named over a dozen last time and never got a sniff it would be houllier- whoever randy has in mind I'm sure it will be kept private until he has his man.
-
I wouldn't worry what sky about it- they named over a dozen last time and never got a sniff it would be houllier- whoever randy has in mind I'm sure it will be kept private until he has his man.
This...it's kind of frustrating not knowing what's going to happen. but we have to trust in the club; there's no way they're going to make their feelings public just yet, and rightly so.
-
I know that Randy is a fan of Moyes.
say more
-
"More."
-
Sky sports reckon Hughes and Moyes are wanted by RL, i'd prefer Moyes myself.
Either.
Hughes possibly edging it though, he's a smarter option !
Both win players' respect; very important these days.
-
Think I'd take Hughes just over Moyes
-
When did sky sports say Lerner was interested in Hughes or moyes? I've seen nothing about it and it would be disrespectful in the extreme if they said such a thing with Gerard still in hospital.
-
Agree, RL doesn't strike me as the type that would make such a comment given the current predicament
-
When did sky sports say Lerner was interested in Hughes or moyes? I've seen nothing about it and it would be disrespectful in the extreme if they said such a thing with Gerard still in hospital.
SNN are just speculating like everyone is at the moment. There's not really any harm in it and i'm sure GH is not concerned in the slightest.
-
Yeah, just what GED wants to see when he flicks on hospital TV ::)
-
Yeah, just what GED wants to see when he flicks on hospital TV ::)
After what he's been through with his heart problems, the last thing that's going to worry him is what SSN's are speculating. He'll know more about what's going to happen than they can guess at.
-
Yeah, just what GED wants to see when he flicks on hospital TV ::)
It depends on if they mentioned Ireland coming back immediately before. He was probably relieved!
-
SSN try to create news rather than report it. If it wernt for such filth as some of the girls on there, no-one would watch.
-
Yeah, just what GED wants to see when he flicks on hospital TV ::)
After what he's been through with his heart problems, the last thing that's going to worry him is what SSN's are speculating. He'll know more about what's going to happen than they can guess at.
Still doesnt make for great viewing
Lets hope he's watching Allo Allo or something similar instead
-
SSN try to create news rather than report it. If it wernt for such filth as some of the girls on there, no-one would watch.
When there is a big sports story there coverage is the best there is.
-
SSN try to create news rather than report it. If it wernt for such filth as some of the girls on there, no-one would watch.
When there is a big sports story there coverage is the best there is.
Spot on, their coverage of Beckham training at "The Lodge" was mesmerising
-
Yeah, just what GED wants to see when he flicks on hospital TV ::)
It depends on if they mentioned Ireland coming back immediately before. He was probably relieved!
Surely they wouldn't allow Ged to watch SSN if there's a chance Ireland's face might come up?!
-
My preference would be for Houllier to be fit and well and managing Villa but that is not going to happen. Whoever managers Villa will have to have the same philosophy as Houllier in regards to playing style and the type of players he brings in. Which of those rumoured is closest to this will get my vote.
-
Not sure if it's been done:
Hughes and Moyes in the frame (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3551272/Aston-Villa-line-up-possible-targets-to-replace-Gerard-Houllier.html)
ASTON VILLA want Mark Hughes or David Moyes as their new manager - if stricken Gerard Houllier is forced to quit after his latest heart scare.
Fulham boss Hughes and Everton's Moyes are top of owner Randy Lerner's hitlist as he waits to see whether Houllier will be fit enough to stand the stresses and strains of Premier League management again.
Hughes was hand-picked by Lerner to replace Martin O'Neill when the Irishman quit last August. But the Villa owner turned to Houllier because Sparky, 47, felt unable to leave Fulham after just two months in charge.
The situation could change now, though, after a mediocre spell at Craven Cottage where the ex-Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City manager has been hit by indifferent form and a spate of bad injuries.
Moyes, 47 has been in charge at Everton for nine years.
And the Goodison club insist he will only be allowed to leave if they can persuade O'Neill to take up the reins next season - or prise Paul Lambert away from Norwich.
Former Celtic and Leicester boss O'Neill, 59, decided against a return to the Premier League with West Ham just a few months ago.
He may also be reluctant to join Everton because of the Merseysiders' lack of thrust in the transfer market - the same reason Moyes might be persuaded to leave.
Not sure how Evertonian's would feel about the bit in bold.
I thought at the time O'Neill was strongly linked with West Ham they'd be chuffed to get a manager of that calibre, but the overwhelming response on their sites seemed to be 'do not want/ shit style of football' and so on.
Odd, as I thought he was highly rated across the board and it was only some of our lot (me included) who had grown a bit bored with his approach, familiarity breeding contempt and all that. Seems quite a few elsewhere had grown wise to him too.
From the initial responses of a few Everton fans they seem less than enamoured with the idea also, citing similar concerns.
-
Come on Kevin, you're a smart fella...The Sun hedging their bets, Benitez will be their next name in a few weeks, and then they can say they got it right first if any of the names mentioned come true.
-
Aye.
Throw enough darts and some will eventually stick I suppose. The bit about Everton insisting on O'Neill or Lambert as replacements sounded pretty specific, but I guess that's all part of the rouse.
-
Martin Jol will be the next as he still has no job
-
SSN try to create news rather than report it. If it wernt for such filth as some of the girls on there, no-one would watch.
When there is a big sports story there coverage is the best there is.
Spot on, their coverage of Beckham training at "The Lodge" was mesmerising
lol!
-
Lambert's yer man, with GH in an advisory capacity.
-
I'd be happy with Lambert if GH doesn't return. He's done a great job at Norwich and at Colchester before.
-
Lambert's yer man, with GH in an advisory capacity.
Anyone listen to the Glasgow School thing on R5 last night? All the consistently successful teams in the UK have had Glaswegians in charge.
This means that for us to do well for a long time we need Moyes, Lambert, Coyle or...errr....Darren Ferguson! It's why KMac won't be a long term success since he's from Inverness.
-
At least any potential short list for interviews looks a bit better than it did 12 months ago
Jol
Hughes
Moyes
Koeman
Burley
-
What shortlist?
Or are you just trolling again.
-
You look at Lambert , kind of reminds me of what GT did at Watford. Unfashionable with no big names. I wouldnt be against Lambert at all..
-
At least any potential short list for interviews looks a bit better than it did 12 months ago
Jol
Hughes
Moyes
Koeman
Burley
Burley? I sincerely hope you're not referring to George. If you are, you must be a bigger drinker than he allegedly is
-
At least any potential short list for interviews looks a bit better than it did 12 months ago
Jol
Hughes
Moyes
Koeman
Burley
Lambert
Coyle
Grayson
-
They need top league experience so Grayson & Lambert wont be on any potential shortlist
-
They need top league experience so Grayson & Lambert wont be on any potential shortlist
Says the man who has Burley on the shortlist
-
McLeish has still to sign his new contract, is that right?
-
McLeish has still to sign his new contract, is that right?
Please don't joke about that, I nearly choked on my sarnie.
-
At least any potential short list for interviews looks a bit better than it did 12 months ago
Jol
Hughes
Moyes
Koeman
Burley
Burley? I sincerely hope you're not referring to George. If you are, you must be a bigger drinker than he allegedly is
Kay Burley
-
Houlliers name and reputation is world wide, he could bring in top players, nearly all of those mentioned are not known outside England.
-
What shortlist?
Or are you just trolling again.
I think that Jermaine Beckford as player manager is a good bet
-
My preference would be for Houllier to be fit and well and managing Villa but that is not going to happen. Whoever managers Villa will have to have the same philosophy as Houllier in regards to playing style and the type of players he brings in. Which of those rumoured is closest to this will get my vote.
I know he's ill and everything, and I genuinely hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. But what is this philosophy that needs to be continued by a new manager? As far as I can see, Gerard's philosophy seemed to be to piss off the players, plunge us into a relegation fight and hen 'rescue' the situation by getting us to stumble over the safety line with a heroic victory (or draw) aganst a doomed West Ham.
Forgive me if I hope for someone with their own 'philosophy'.
-
The green shoots of GH's philosophy was clear for all to see earlier on in the season when his team was able to play with a little less fear and trepidation.
As soon as we started to struggle then reverted back to a more conventional risk averse style coupled with having to rely on players who clearly the manager needs to move on in the summer in Collins Dunne etc, conversly until recently didn't realise many more points !!
The passing movement and creativity had stated to flow for a few games and was clearly more attractive than the gruel served up under MON although GH didnt have the time afforded to him to come good in terms of points on the board.
A full pre season and the addition of some more GH type players would have seen more time for the tactics to develop and hopefully bear fruit.
-
When did we draw with West Ham?
-
We didn't; we were drawing with them until the last kick of the game.
Well done. Enjoy your evening.
-
See page 1 of this thread. We need a new manager.