A new manager by Friday??

[hilts_coolerking]

I didn't say that he would be.

I just advocated not appointing the wrong manager on potentially a long-term contract now for the simple reason that "we need to appoint a manager now".

If we can't appoint the right person I see little reason to appoint the wrong person.

But your argument for appointing a caretaker is predicated on someone superior to today's candidates being available next year. There's nothing I can see to say that would be the case. Unless there was some commitment from a clearly superior candidate that he would take the job next year there would be no reason to appoint a caretaker manager.  Because there is nothing to suggest next year's candidates would be markedly different.  Indeed, if the caretaker failed, as they usually do, the field of candidates next year may well be inferior.

What we have to do is appoint the best manager we possibly can and do it as soon as possible. I would be staggered if Randy is not able to find and attract a better manager than Martin O'Neill, and even more staggered if he appointed Bob Bradley or Kevin MacDonald who clearly lack, among other things, the level of experience we are looking for.

[Stu]

I was in the German Cafe in Shirley earlier (yes there is one - check it) and Jurgen Klinnsman, Otto Hitzfeld and Nena were in there.   

It's bloody expensive in there, and they put the prices up at night.

Is it worth it though? I can't believe I've only just found out about this place.

[jembob]

I was in the German Cafe in Shirley earlier (yes there is one - check it) and Jurgen Klinnsman, Otto Hitzfeld and Nena were in there.   

It's bloody expensive in there, and they put the prices up at night.

Is it worth it though? I can't believe I've only just found out about this place.

They do very good schnitzel although pork and not veal. I saw Rudi Voller in there last week and he did a runner, chasing a guy down the Stratford Road that looked exactly like Frank Rijkaard.

[dave.woodhall]

It's a good cafe but not so good restaurant. The schnitzel is nice.

[Villa'Zawg]

How the hell do we know who we have approached and who is interested or not?

We don't but it doesn't appear from Kevin MacDonald's comments that we will have offered anyone the job.

‘I have spoken with Mr Lerner and we decided, if we wait until after the Everton game, we have a two-week break.

‘If I decide this job is for me, I’ll hopefully get an interview, speak to the owner and pass on my thoughts about how to take the club forwards.

‘If it’s not for me, then all the other people being considered will get their interviews.’

[ROBBO]

How much time will have been lost fannying about like that?

[Dave]

I didn't say that he would be.

I just advocated not appointing the wrong manager on potentially a long-term contract now for the simple reason that "we need to appoint a manager now".

If we can't appoint the right person I see little reason to appoint the wrong person.

But your argument for appointing a caretaker is predicated on someone superior to today's candidates being available next year. There's nothing I can see to say that would be the case. Unless there was some commitment from a clearly superior candidate that he would take the job next year there would be no reason to appoint a caretaker manager.  Because there is nothing to suggest next year's candidates would be markedly different.  Indeed, if the caretaker failed, as they usually do, the field of candidates next year may well be inferior.

What we have to do is appoint the best manager we possibly can and do it as soon as possible. I would be staggered if Randy is not able to find and attract a better manager than Martin O'Neill, and even more staggered if he appointed Bob Bradley or Kevin MacDonald who clearly lack, among other things, the level of experience we are looking for.

My argument might well be based on who might be available next year. But there is far less supposition in my argument than in yours.

It has already been rumoured that the overwhelming favourite on this board might be available next summer but almost certainly isn't this summer. If Lerner agrees with 37% of posters on H&V and wants Martin Jol, is there any point appointing Sven Goran Eriksson if that isn't the manager that he wants?

It's not the same as player transfers where if you can't get your preferred centre-half you have three of four alternative choices who might do just as good a job. If I had the choice of a season with Kevin MacDonald and an 8th place finish followed by the board's ideal manager next year or a manager that the board don't actually want for the next three years then I will sign up for the former.

[KevinGage]

But your argument for appointing a caretaker is predicated on someone superior to today's candidates being available next year. There's nothing I can see to say that would be the case. Unless there was some commitment from a clearly superior candidate that he would take the job next year there would be no reason to appoint a caretaker manager.  Because there is nothing to suggest next year's candidates would be markedly different.  Indeed, if the caretaker failed, as they usually do, the field of candidates next year may well be inferior.

The latter part is the chance you take and the biggest risk.

But I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that -in general- the start of summer is a better time to make that kind of long term appointment than the end, and that the pool of available options would be bigger.

Managers at smaller clubs fresh off the back of a successful season might be more open to change. Managers with a decent profile might have struggled at a big club and need a fresh start and so on.

This is the time of year when most clubs have their plans and strategy in place. Some of them might alter that as quick as Oct/ Nov, but not many would let a manager walk at this time -unless they wanted shot of him.

[ROBBO]

Which just enforces the shit that Oneill left us in, he may well have had his reasons but to do what he did when he did should be remembered by any future employer.

[TheFoolio888]

Which just enforces the shit that Oneill left us in, he may well have had his reasons but to do what he did when he did should be remembered by any future employer.

Which of course it won't be. This is football after all. Everyone has very short memories when they choose.

[pmk1981]

worst nightmare =

Get to the ground tonight, get to my seat, turn around and look up at directors box, see bob bradleys head shining in the moonlight :-(

[abc123cox]

oh no Macdonald in the sun has said that he thinks Heskey is a top top player and we will not be letting top top players go!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3111848/Kevin-MacDonald-to-decide-on-Aston-Villa-future.html

[villajk]

oh no Macdonald in the sun has said that he thinks Heskey is a top top player and we will not be letting top top players go!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3111848/Kevin-MacDonald-to-decide-on-Aston-Villa-future.html

Oh my word.  If that's the case, MacDonald is definitely not the man for the job.

[TheEgo]

oh no Macdonald in the sun has said that he thinks Heskey is a top top player and we will not be letting top top players go!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3111848/Kevin-MacDonald-to-decide-on-Aston-Villa-future.html

That interview has made my mind up. KM definately doesnt't want the job and I wouldn't be surprised if RL already knows this and has been looking for a replacement anyway. I think the "I haven't decided yet" line is being thrown around to keep the press at arms length. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone appointed Monday or Tuesday of next week, with at least one player coming in as well.

[richard moore]

Which just enforces the shit that Oneill left us in, he may well have had his reasons but to do what he did when he did should be remembered by any future employer.

Exactly. Spot on. But no one will remember that because football is full of brain dead people who will take on any manager or player almost regardless of what they have done...with a few exceptions