The replacement for MON...?

[Irreverent ad]

Firstly don't we all believe that Randy is generally an ethical guy?  I don't see him poaching/tapping up a manager under contract.

Secondly, there isn't an available candidate that hasn't been rubbished in one way or another on this board.  The ideal candidate does not appear to be available to the users of this site.

So, we're left with the least worse option,  KMac, for a season.  This will allow the right candidate to be put in place.

We talk about a "five year plan" often enough, surely this emphasises that Randy is in it for the long term.  He's prepared to wait, to sacrifice a season, to ensure the best long term outcome for the Villa.

Let's not forget that MON was responsible for signing the players we think are "dead wood".  MON was responsible for walking out on us at a time when the closest thing to the right candidate (Mark Hughes - and don't forget his comment on joining was "a good fit" - hardly enthusiastic) who'd just took a job.  MON was responsible for putting us in a position where we couldn't make new signings. Don't under estimate MON's planning at such time to create this situation.  It's not like we don't know that he holds a grudge when he falls out with someone.

MON is responsible for the shite we're in, which will mean effectively writing-off this season.

I agree with you on every point BUT putting KMac in charge. He is not ready to be a manager, maybe he never will be. If we finished 9th-14th this season who is to say any potential manager we are targetting (Moyes or Jol), would be interested in us?

Football operates in the present, we need the best available man for the job now and KM is not that man.

[eastie]

so are you saying mac that you think it will be kmac for just this season , or have you heard that from a reliable source that it will be  , or is it just what you would do in this situation?

id rather give it to sven and see what he can do than give it to a man with no managerial experience.

[saunders_heroes]

Put McDonald in charge even for one season and we'll see the likes of Young and our other better players look to leave the club citing lack of ambition. It'll be an absolute disaster. McDonald looks out of his depth at the best of times, and he can't possibly be left in charge of the Villa full time. Its the worst case senario.

[barrysleftfoot]

   With all due respect Mac, MON is not responsible for the mess we are in, and there is no need to right off the season,

  Fulham quickly replaced Hodgson with a good appointment, surely we can attract as good a candidate as Hughes, we have had plenty of time to attract the right kind of manager, and an appointment of KMac , or his ilk, is a copout.

   MON acted like a spoilt brat, but hes not the reason we are still in this situation.

[hilts_coolerking]

I agree with you on every point BUT putting KMac in charge. He is not ready to be a manager, maybe he never will be. If we finished 9th-14th this season who is to say any potential manager we are targetting (Moyes or Jol), would be interested in us?

Football operates in the present, we need the best available man for the job now and KM is not that man.

Agree with that. First, as IA says, who is to say the person we want is going to be available next summer anyway? Unless we have a firm commitment, that's a big risk to take. Second, if we do have a poor season, or even a mediocre one, there is the risk that the pool of candidates next summer will be of a lower calibre than the current one.

[midnite]

So who's up for camping at the belfry and see who Falkner and Lerner turn up with to interview over the next week? Team of 4, three on stag, one covering front entrance, another the rear, one inside while the other is resting.

Then quick call to bet fair and away we go!!

[pmk1981]

So who's up for camping at the belfry and see who Falkner and Lerner turn up with to interview over the next week? Team of 4, three on stag, one covering front entrance, another the rear, one inside while the other is resting.

Then quick call to bet fair and away we go!!

loving the eagerness,  10/10 for effort

[atomicjam]

I am not saying it would be my choosen manager, but I could see Houllier being the next Manager. I think his personality would appeal to Randy, he has won a few cups & leagues (although I think Lyon always won their league in those days). He has worked with youth players and has premier league experience. And although Moyes odds reducing yesterday shows just relying on odds is a crap idea, Houllier's odds have dropped recently.

[Dan England]

   With all due respect Mac, MON is not responsible for the mess we are in, and there is no need to right off the season,

  Fulham quickly replaced Hodgson with a good appointment, surely we can attract as good a candidate as Hughes, we have had plenty of time to attract the right kind of manager, and an appointment of KMac , or his ilk, is a copout.

   MON acted like a spoilt brat, but hes not the reason we are still in this situation.

Who is responsible then if it's not MON's fault?

[TimTheVillain]

   With all due respect Mac, MON is not responsible for the mess we are in, and there is no need to right off the season,

  Fulham quickly replaced Hodgson with a good appointment, surely we can attract as good a candidate as Hughes, we have had plenty of time to attract the right kind of manager, and an appointment of KMac , or his ilk, is a copout.

   MON acted like a spoilt brat, but hes not the reason we are still in this situation.

Are you saying it's the board's fault for not acting more quickly to replace MON ?

[atomicjam]

The Guardian:-

Kevin MacDonald heads five-man shortlist for Aston Villa manager's job• Caretaker has players' support as club begins interviews
• Timing of Fulham appointment counts against Mark Hughes

Aston Villa have compiled a five-man shortlist as they strive to identify Martin O'Neill's successor. It includes Kevin MacDonald, currently serving as caretaker manager, who today confirmed he wanted a chance to fill the post created by O'Neill's shock resignation. Indeed, Villa's owner, Randy Lerner, is considering MacDonald's candidature so seriously that he can probably be regarded as the current favourite.

The other contenders all possess greater Premier League experience but, after 15 years working in various coaching capacities at Villa Park, MacDonald boasts some significant supporters inside the club, including key players.

His cause is helped by a dearth of high-calibre managers available to take over a club that challenged for Champions League qualification last season.

Despite the recruitment difficulties, one candidate was interviewed yesterday by a panel headed by Lerner and Villa's chief executive, Paul Faulkner. The club hopes the process will be concluded swiftly, with O'Neill's successor installed by the end of the international break.

Although Villa's board discussed the possibility of hiring Mark Hughes when there were fears O'Neill might quit at the end of last season, the Welshman joined Fulham just before the Northern Irishman left Villa Park.

Much as Hughes and Villa might privately wish their timing had been different, extricating the former Blackburn and Manchester City manager from Craven Cottage now would prove extremely tricky – not to mention expensive.

Removing Alex McLeish from Birmingham might be cheaper – it is thought Villa's closest rivals would demand around £1m in compensation – but would be politically sensitive.

While David Moyes fits the profile of the sort of manager Villa are seeking, Everton have received no approach for his services and it is understood he is committed to remaining at Goodison Park. For Moyes, Villa would represent something of a sideways move, particularly as transfer funds seem almost as tight at the Midlands club as on Merseyside.

Elsewhere, Martin Jol is thought likely to remain at Ajax, where the former Tottenham manager can look forward to Champions League football, while Gareth Southgate's career as an ITV pundit is proving so enjoyable the former Middlesbrough manager and Villa defender may harbour mixed feelings about returning to the dugout.

Sam Allardyce, currently impressing in charge of Blackburn Rovers, could be another potential candidate, but his reputation was damaged by a previous disappointing stint at Newcastle United, and his football philosophy remains an acquired taste.


It seems MacDonald's mixed results – he has presided over two Premier League wins either side of a 6-0 defeat at Newcastle while also proving powerless to prevent Villa losing a vital Europa League qualifier against Rapid Vienna – will not count against him.

Even so, Villa's landscape would look very different were Hughes a free agent.

[Mac]

   With all due respect Mac, MON is not responsible for the mess we are in, and there is no need to right off the season,

  Fulham quickly replaced Hodgson with a good appointment, surely we can attract as good a candidate as Hughes, we have had plenty of time to attract the right kind of manager, and an appointment of KMac , or his ilk, is a copout.

   MON acted like a spoilt brat, but hes not the reason we are still in this situation.

Hughes was available.  Who is available now?  Name somebody available you'd be happy with?

[Bosco81]

The point about what KMc has won as a player is the fact he's not some no mark player, he was a good player used to mixing with top quality players.

He has had a good coaching career so far and if no other top quality manager is available I would be willing to give him a go.

He would get respect from the players in the team but hated by the players out of the team, no different to any other manager.

[atomicjam]

Here:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/31/aston-villa-new-manager-shortlist

[Mac]

so are you saying mac that you think it will be kmac for just this season , or have you heard that from a reliable source that it will be  , or is it just what you would do in this situation?

id rather give it to sven and see what he can do than give it to a man with no managerial experience.

What I am saying is that I think KMac will get the job.  It's then his to lose. Good season he keeps it, poor one someone else comes in.  This way we'll have from Feb/March to line something up.