The replacement for MON...?

[atomicjam]

The Express:

GERARD HOULLIER TAKES THE ASTON VILLA HOT SEAT

GERARD Houllier will make his comeback as a Premier League boss on Thursday with Aston Villa.

Houllier, 63, will see the president of the French Football Federation to ask to be released from his job as their technical director and will then join Villa as manager.
As revealed in the Daily Express on Friday, Houllier has been in talks. These negotiations have now been completed, and Houllier has been given the job as Martin O’Neill’s successor. He has not been involved in management since he left Lyon in 2007 but was in charge of Liverpool for six years up until 2004.

His first game back in England will be Villa’s fixture at Stoke on Monday, giving him a chance to meet players as they return from internationals.

He will be free to appoint his own staff with his former assistant at Liverpool, Phil Thompson, a contender to link up again.

The future of former reserve coach Kevin MacDonald, who has been caretaker for five games, is unclear. MacDonald has said that if he did not become manager he would probably leave Villa, where he has been employed for 15 years.

Houllier, who had a major heart scare while at Anfield, made some poor signings at the end of his time there, but prior to that was successful with three trophies in one season.

It had been expected Villa would announce the appointment today and there were rumours of problems.But that is not the case and Houllier now only has to go through the courtesy of telling the French FA.

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/197988/Gerard-Houllier-takes-the-Aston-Villa-hot-seat/

[Dante Lavelli]

The future of former reserve coach Kevin MacDonald, who has been caretaker for five games, is unclear. MacDonald has said that if he did not become manager he would probably leave Villa, where he has been employed for 15 years.

That's news to me.  Has anyone else heard this?  I'd would be surprised if that was the case as a week-or-so ago he didn't even know if he wanted the managers job as he was happy working the reserves.  Hopefully he's just angling for a pay-rise.

[ROBBO]

This has all come about because Lerner was happy to leave everything football wise to MON, one man in total control. They also decided against having someone with experience of premiership football on the board, in fact they got rid of people that did have the expert knowledge required.

[eamonn]

Rolling contract one assumes.

Will be sad if KMac goes - there can't be many staff, coaching or otherwise, who have been at the club longer.

[Scott Nielsen]

It's a fair point; it would appear that Houllier was more impressive at interview than Sven.

Has there been credible reports of Sven actually having an interview with us?

[brontebilly]

The problem with Sven is he's got one eye on the door before he starts his first day at work.

Besides anyone who watched the inept Ivory Coast performance in the World Cup, and read about the catastrophic effort he made of the Mexico job, should be very wary of the man. And lets not even start on Notts County.

The man's an opportunist, and I'd be deeply unhappy if he was Villa manager right now.

The Ivory Coast gig was three games. They beat North Korea, drew with Portugal and lost to Brazil. They were crucially without Drogba for the Brazil game. Hardly inept - only for Portugal going goal crazy against the Commies it could have been a different story.
Mexico was a shambles though alright. Think his record in England was very decent. An average team in 2002 qualified after a horrific start and took the winners Brazil a serious game in the quarters, 2004 probably his best English team looked to be firing on all cyclinders before losing on penalties minus the injured Rooney to finalists Portugal, 2006 the team wasnt really in good shape but still ten men took Portugal to extra time. At club level, 3 doubles in three countries is hardly bad doing, while the 8th place for Man City was a decent season that fell apart near the end as the players knew he was leaving.
he is quite a conserative coach with loyalty to certain players a bit of an issue. I cant really understand the abuse he gets based on his record though.

[eastie]

Southampton quoted as having had 2 applications from current premier managers- kmac maybe?

[PaulTheVillan]

Southampton quoted as having had 2 applications from current premier managers- kmac maybe?

Harry Redknapp.
Sir Alex.

[*shellac*]

Southampton quoted as having had 2 applications from current premier managers- kmac maybe?

Grant.
Martinez.

[PaulTheVillan]

Southampton quoted as having had 2 applications from current premier managers- kmac maybe?

Current premier Managers or former?

I'd say Zola & Dowie if former.

[PaulTheVillan]

Randys Mistake

[JJ-AV]

If it's current Premier League managers one has to be KMac, can't think who the other would be...

[eastie]

They said over 50 applicants and 30 in current jobs of which 2 are current premier managers- which I find amazing- can only think of kmac , or maybe holloway who would be interested?

[ozzjim]

Holloway and his board don't always get on I don't think so could easily be him.

The other has to be Kmac though you would think. If it is and he goes I hope he does brilliantly, and in 3 years time is ready to come and be the full time boss here after Houllier.

[eastie]

Just a thought but if it was kmac and he got the saints job do you think mcandrew and cowans  would go with him ?