The replacement for MON...?

[Ger Regan]

I don't rate Rijkaard either to be honest. He lost it by the end of his time with Barca, and let's not forget he had a team that included Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and had Ronaldinho at the height of his powers.

Now I'm not saying that he's a bad manager, I'm just saying that I don't think he'd do the business with a team like villa. In all likelihood he'd need a team like Citeh to be able to have top class players to have a chance of winning things.

[hilts_coolerking]

Bradley's no mug but appointing him would be to risk all the work that's been done over the last four years. There are other, more experienced managers around who have greater experience of English / European football and who would represent less of a risk.

Bradley is the sort of guy we could take a punt on if we were at a very low ebb because there would be little damage done if it didn't work out.  But we're not at a low ebb - we're an established top 6 side with a good squad and a good owner. We should be looking to build on that with a top quality manager, not taking a risk on someone unproven like Bradley.  Or MacDonald for that matter.

[timeoutbigbar]

All well and good lauding Pellegrini's work at Villareal, but didn't a certain Juande Ramos turn Sevilla (albeit a bigger club the Villareal) into a realistic league title contenders playing a brand of football claimed to be amongst the best in Europe?  Certainly would be a big risk.

[Matt Collins]

I have to say, the Magath option is a pretty exciting / interesting one for me. Better than most of the realistic ones on the list.

[Toronto Villa]

p.s  thanks for the welcomes, guys. I'm more than happy for you to pick apart the original post, no offence taken at all.

Going from Barca to Galatasaray was from an ego standpoint a royal kick in the bollocks. It's a rebound job so I'd question his motivation.

[KevinGage]

I could only see Magath coming in at this juncture if Schalke got rid.

Again it comes back to the point that no decent sized club with one eye on success this year would let a manager depart - unless they wanted shot of him.

The later we go into the campaign the more those kind of opportunities open up. The gamble is the later we leave it, the more off the pace/ less attractive we may become as an option.

If we're say top 8 by Christmas, a Magath or similar might think with a bit of tinkering he can get us to 6th -possibly 4th. If we're stuck down at the wrong end of the table it becomes a harder sell.

A Magath or similar might be keen.  And we are one of the bigger clubs in England. But whenever I read those kind of quotes from high profile types about looking to work in England one day I assume they mean the Big 4 or Tottenham.

How big are we in Germany?

I have no idea.

[Salsa Party Animal]

It seems to me with all the media report Bob Bradley is only one who want the job badly apart from Sven.

[Dazvillain]

I would rather see Curbishley than Bradley. At least hge's got an idea of the game over here and has some inside knowledge of the club. Kev Mac assistant/coach on bench with him. Maybe just on an initila 12 month contract as he's currently out of work ?

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I would rather see Curbishley than Bradley. At least hge's got an idea of the game over here and has some inside knowledge of the club. Kev Mac assistant/coach on bench with him. Maybe just on an initila 12 month contract as he's currently out of work ?

That would be the most underwhelming appointment possible imo.

[Des Little]

Who voted Martinez?  Let's out these people!

[jayfc]

i so hope its not bob bradley,,,,glenn hoddle anyone??

[villajk]

Just seen Bradley's 'interview' with SSN. 

*shakes head*

[jayfc]

who voted o deary feckin hell

[Dave]

I could only see Magath coming in at this juncture if Schalke got rid.

Again it comes back to the point that no decent sized club with one eye on success this year would let a manager depart - unless they wanted shot of him.

Magath has had an awful summer by all accounts, selling most of Schalke's best players and replacing them badly, then falling out with the Schalke board.

[Dave]

who voted o deary feckin hell

No more ridiculous than voting for Pearce, Southgate, Zola, Laursen or Clough.