Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Did anybody else get the impression Kevin Mac turned down the opportunity to be Assistant Manager?

[Chris Harte]

The fans are most important, they are passionate, vocal and fantastic

And who compared him to DOL?

I did - or at least stated on the now-closed thread that the words reported in the Mail, translated from a French paper, made me think of the way DOL belittled the club.

[Bad English]

I'm trying to be objective here and I do think that, in essence, what Houllier was saying was that when you are trawling someone's wife, seagulls are better than sardines.

you sound like cantona, lol

He didn't see it.

Oh, and, at ease everybody, for Sullivan and Gold have pipped us to the signing (according to Radio Monte Carlo)



Link to article

[sfx412]

How nice to have a real communicator in charge one who speaks coherently, smiles and has plenty of charming comments to get people on side. Loved the comment about it being a Sky interview.
If that was a man looking like a rabbit in headlights Mon must have been a rat in the gaze of a viper.
Very impressed, and as suggested obviously well prepared and up for the challenge. As to his Liverpool comments, he mentioned Lyon too several times, can we criticise him for that. In fact he mentioned Villa several times too and he's only been here 4 hours.
Some people.
Anyway first view 9/10, bring him on, could be an interesting time.

[adrenachrome]

Did anybody else get the impression Kevin Mac turned down the opportunity to be Assistant Manager?

BBC Sport

Gerard Houllier praises Aston Villa's ambition

Houllier is returning to English football after a six-year absence

Gerard Houllier says Aston Villa's ambition was key to him agreeing to succeed Martin O'Neill as manager.

Houllier, 63, said he had rejected other offers, adding he was fit and healthy after heart problems in 2001 during his reign at Liverpool.

"I had a good and safe job at the French Football Federation, but Villa's ambition made me feel I wanted to be part of the team," he stated.

Caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald will return to his job as reserve team boss.

However, Houllier added that he was disappointed that MacDonald, who took over the reins following O'Neill's shock departure in August, had rejected the chance to work as his assistant.

"I am working on naming an assistant manager," the Frenchman continued.

"Joint management doesn't work, but in some capacity as assistant manager he would have been helpful. he could also have maybe learnt the trade and, who knows, taken over from me.

"But I understand his decision, he's a nice bloke so I won't hurt him - I told him I'd like him to stay at the club."

Under MacDonald, Villa won two of their opening three Premier League fixtures, a foundation on which Houllier is keen to build.

"I'm here to meet anyone who says it's not a good club, so lets try to make it better," enthused Houllier.

"The facilities are first class, the training ground is really good, there is a vision for the future.

"It's down now to us to work hard to bring success and joy to the fans. The fans are most important, they are passionate, vocal and fantastic."

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Cheers, adrenachrome.

[Nev]

The fans are most important, they are passionate, vocal and fantastic

And who compared him to DOL?

I did - or at least stated on the now-closed thread that the words reported in the Mail, translated from a French paper, made me think of the way DOL belittled the club.

I also raised this point and it is a lesson for anyone taking charge of a football team. Get the fans on your side from the off and it might just buy you some time when things gets tough. Start ramming home truths down peoples throats and you crush the one thing that keeps fans going. Hope.

[PaulTheVillan]

I have to give 3 months notice at work, why shouldn't he?

[Toronto Villa]

Did anybody else get the impression Kevin Mac turned down the opportunity to be Assistant Manager?

it seems as though he did. I like the bloke, and he's been great for the club for ages. But he took forever to make up his mind. He was never convincing in interviews, and quite frankly he got beaten out to the job by a much, much better candidate. It would have been good for him as Houllier points out to get the experience as an assistant. Something tells me he's gone back to the reserves in somewhat of a huff which would be very unfortunate indeed. The way I see it, for players or coaches, there's no room for passengers. Pick up a fucking oar and row hard. Do your part. That or get off. There will be one or two coaches and players that will need to make that decision in the coming weeks and months.

[dave.woodhall]

I can't think of any manager's job, anywhere, where the subject of his assistant has been debated so much. In the normal course of event the caretaker job would have gone to the first team coach and Kev wouldn't have been anywhere near it or in line for promotion.

[eastie]

He basically said they could have made him give 3 months notice- not that they were and he expects to be available next week, never implied that it would be longer, he just has a few commitments to fulfil !

[SteveD]

I have to say I'm disappointed Macdonald has turned down the assistant's job.... apart from the dithering about the original job in the first place, it's not the brightest move when a new boss starts... hardly a ringing vote of confidence in Team Villa. Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone.

[dave.woodhall]

I have to say I'm disappointed Macdonald has turned down the assistant's job.... apart from the dithering about the original job in the first place, it's not the brightest move when a new boss starts... hardly a ringing vote of confidence in Team Villa. Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone.

I'm glad, as long as he's staying where he is. It ain't broke so don't fix it.

[Toronto Villa]

I can't think of any manager's job, anywhere, where the subject of his assistant has been debated so much. In the normal course of event the caretaker job would have gone to the first team coach and Kev wouldn't have been anywhere near it or in line for promotion.

I think it would have been here too if the former assistants had stuck around. I'm tired of the whole thing to be honest. You'd think he was some up and coming star. The man's nearly 50 and I'm sure has had a few opportunities to enter management and hasn't. Aston Villa shouldn't be his apprenticeship as a football manager.

[villa `cross the mersey]

It would appear I am in the minority on here with respect to today`s PC - Personally I didn`t see him in the way others have. I wish him well and hope he takes us onto the next level.



Did anyone catch his last comments ? - he said something in French at the end regarding Benitez - anyone know what that was about?
(I think it referred to Champions League?)