Houllier confirmed as new manager. Press Conference p22

[BannedUserIAT]

Le Figaro full quote:

"Aston Villa is not a club on the same level as Liverpool, let's be objective and honest. For me it's a club placed between 7th and 12th. It's an historic club, which has won the Champions League [in 1982]. It's a club which has got good infrastructure, a fine team, and which only asks one thing - to improve year on year."

Why choose a club in the middle of the English [Premier League] table, after getting a taste at the highest level in the past?

"Of course I had other proposals, butt this one seemed to be the most interesting, in terms of the work environment, its working conditions"


We're NOT a fcuking mid-table team!

Well, we're not Top 4 and we're not relegation fodder so...

[Rigadon]

..so... what Troy?  That's the question isn't it?  What are we?  I thought we'd moved on since 4 years ago, made progress and were a couple of players away from challenging.? I see a lot of expectation changing going on, not necessarily from the club but from some nervous folk on here and from come conversations I've had with other fans.  Is this transition or is it onwards and upwards? 

[Mazrim]

Mazrim, to fill you in so to speak, we have a new manager, one which hasn't set our collective pulses racing but a safe pair of hands to steady the ship.  Big Brother is finishing thank fuck, Marshall has re-signed and the general took a break from posting on this site in case the Daily Sell To Buy mis quoted him about a new manager.  Eigentor showed pleasure at your return.

I read this with the theme tune from " Soap" in the background.

[kippaxvilla2]

Welcome Mr Houllier.  My first question is;  Would you mind just letting me know when you can make it to your first game this season?

[Villa'Zawg]

Apparently he hasn't actually signed a contract yet or negotiated his exit from FFF. Patrice Bergues has also turned down the assistant role.

Guardian Clicky

[olaftab]

Houllier is a greedy bugger just like   others in football today. He is waiting for FFA to not pursue  him financially for walking away from his contract. Surely  if he wants our job and  as a wealthy man he can  start with us and    pay off any compensation  to the  FFA if that  turns out to be a reality.

[olaftab]

Le Figaro full quote:

"Of course I had other proposals, butt this one seemed to be the most interesting, in terms of the work environment, its working conditions"

We're NOT a fcuking mid-table team!

Well, we're not Top 4 and we're not relegation fodder so...

Sounds as though Randy has given him very  low objectives...like  "Please  just keep  us in the PL"

[dave.woodhall]

Le Figaro full quote:

"Of course I had other proposals, butt this one seemed to be the most interesting, in terms of the work environment, its working conditions"

We're NOT a fcuking mid-table team!

Well, we're not Top 4 and we're not relegation fodder so...

Sounds as though Randy has given him very  low objectives...like  "Please  just keep  us in the PL"

How do you work that one out?

[Drummond]

I wasn't sure about this appointment at first but let's face it, he's been manager of Liverpool during a successful period for them. He's seen Lyon to titles, he's been technical director to a national tram recognised for playing good football (it's not his fault they are a bunch of arseholes) and generally we've got a good man.

We keep KMac too which is a result.

I'm content.

[Bosco81]

I thought he came across very well, it was a nice touch that he took the time to quote our history. He seems to have an understanding of what a historic and unique club this is. After all we are doing him the favour not the other way round, something O'Leary for one never quite grasped.

[TimTheVillain]

I thought he came across very well, it was a nice touch that he took the time to quote our history. He seems to have an understanding of what a historic and unique club this is. After all we are doing him the favour not the other way round, something O'Leary for one never quite grasped.

It's not about favours though, and to be honest, I'm fed up with the 'Villa history' thing myself.

The most important thing is our future, and Villa fans continue to hark on about what a great history we have etc etc ..... it's embarrassing.

Our history isn't that great - the last time we won the FA Cup, Harold Macmillan was our Prime Minister !

As for being unique, so are Kidderminster Harriers.

I agree, he looked the part in the interview, but time will tell.

[Matt Collins]

The guardian seem to be suggesting that his first game may be the Blackburn cc cup game at the earliest. And that he may need to still spend a few days here and there back with the fff.

Also suggest people keep turning the number 2 job down.

Surely we need him in place asap and getting his staff in position

[Bosco81]

Having a history certainly isn't embarassing, having no history now that is embarassing.

[brian green]

Slightly off thread but I wish to make the point.

I was, and still am very critical of the manner and timing of Martin O"Neill's departure.  However, when you consider that the best short list we could put together was the admirable Kevin McDonald, Curbishley and Houllier and then when we choose the least worst of the two experienced managers we choose a man who cannot start for three months, I see a clear question mark appearing beside the name of the chief executive.   How much of the turbulence and uncertainty which swirls around Villa Park presently is down to the competence of the chief executive.   Two weeks ago I would have said none.   Today I am not so sure.

[Klaus Katt]

What if someone like Mortimer was handed the assistant's job? Or does it have to be Houllier's choice now?