McAllister, Cowans & the new Back Room staff

[TheSandman]

Is there anything to the fact that since McAllister was linked to us Boro have started to win games?

[hawkeye]

GH made special mention of Sid at the press conference, now that was a player

[hawkeye]

2 real ball playing midfield players as part of the set up, i can only see these appointments as good news

[Legion]

From Pravda:

The Club is pleased to announce that Gary McAllister has agreed to become assistant manager to Gerard Houllier, while Gordon Cowans will become first team coach.

Former Scotland international McAllister, capped 57 times, was described by the new Villa manager as "my most inspirational signing" during their time at Liverpool where McAllister played an integral role in the unique treble triumph of 2001 (Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup).

He has also managed at Coventry City and Leeds United.

Villa legend Cowans, who was capped 10 times for England, joined Villa as an apprentice when he was 15 years old and in three spells at the club made a total of 527 appearances.

He won the league in 1981 and the European Cup in 1982 and has been coaching Villa's youth for many years.

Rafa Gonzalez, who came to the club in the 2007-08 season as goalkeeping coach to the reserve team, will be goalkeeping coach and Robert Duverne, who worked with Houllier at Lyon where they won back-to-back titles, will assist as coach/fitness coach.

[supertom]

Up and running I guess. We need to hit the ground running. Hopefully KMac can get back on the reserves. Would be sad to see him go really.

[supertom]

2 real ball playing midfield players as part of the set up, i can only see these appointments as good news

You'd think so, but then again Tony Adam's time as coach or manager wherever he's been has resulted in an absolutely pisspoor defence.

Actually that was a bit pessimistic. I take it back, Sid and Macca will do the biz!

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

I'm not happy with McCallister and Cowans as coaches. They should be playing instead of Petrov and Ireland

[Howla]

Hello fellow Villains

Let me start by saying I Love Aston Villa. (no full stop could give ever give it justice)

I am a very very very long time H&V lurker (that long maybe its my own first thread to start) in fact I feel like I know you all but I have held off because I knew once I started it would be like Pringles.

Dave W knows me to look at and have the banter the with (only when I buy the the programme) and i even saw VillaJK in the Holte Pub earlier (recognised the photos from Frank) - I feel like a stalker!

More about and my Villa heritage will follow but the reasons i felt compelled to start now is...

Today is my eldest daughters Bella 5th birthday and she had a pamper day - nails hair and all that......i got my pass out to go straight to the Villa after if it had finished with everybody's blessings with UP THE VILLA from 10 little girls ringing round my ears

Im not a moaner but maybe I expected more but I was bored and felt worryingly that I could count on one hand the players that even nearly felt my desire and passion for THE VILLA

So why my rant now......

I've got to know some of the old players through the AV FPA more and more over the years (again more to follow) and it was a pleasure to then chat with Sid and Neil Rioch in the Holte Pub. It cheered me up know end and of course we congratulated him. We laughed and revered that that him and Gary Mac could sort our current midfield out or if not maybe play.....but Sid was his normal self dismissive self and said lets wait and see - Sid refused a drink but Neil encouraged us and we bought Sid a bitter (without him knowing us loyal 5 Villains all kissed it before we give it him) he gave me a massive hug.

Without doubt he is THE VILLA MAN of my era - he fully understands the history and the place and it is a great appointment by GH

Hopefully with some clear direction and a bit of love from the fans the good lord Aston Villa ship is now steering back in the right direction

Keep the faith

Howla

ps. General Krulak - you are the man - keep talking to us

[Salsa Party Animal]

We got two of best British playmakers over last 2 decades as coach as well This will mean attractive passing game for me. As they won't allow kick and hoof and hope.

Who will get Gordon's last job.

[SoccerHQ]

All I can say with Gary Mac and Sid coaching the players day in day out, if we can't produce a passing and possession confident team within 6 months to a year, we might aswell give up!

[mozza]

We will find out which of our players can control a football and pass to
oneof our own-

Welcome to Villa Park Gary

Sid - you deserve some of the limelight - good luck - we all know
there's claret & blue blood running through your veins

[Lambert and Payne]

Welcome to the club Mr. MaCallister (ill learn to spell your name in time!!) and heres hoping to that bright future finally coming. An FA cup would be nice

[Dante Lavelli]

In addition, the appointment of Houllier has obviously been made because the board sees it as a long-term appointment. If the board believe they have the right man for the long-term benefits of the club then I applaud that approach. It is not a short-term fix.

What makes you say this Legion?  Genuinely interested as I think Villa need to start operating this way, with a clearer long term, sustainable, achievable strategy.

My biggest concern with Houllier is that it smacks me as being a short-term appointment - He's in his 60's, has had an operation on his heart and not worked in football management for a few years.  Plus, I'm sure I read it is only a three year contract.

Hopefully behind the scenes Gary Mac (or whoever) will be groomed as the long-term successor with Ged taking a director level role.

[richard moore]

We will find out which of our players can control a football and pass to
oneof our own-

Welcome to Villa Park Gary

Sid - you deserve some of the limelight - good luck - we all know
there's claret & blue blood running through your veins

That shouldn't take them long at all from what I have seen over the last 12 months...

[Salsa Party Animal]

I think the appointment is long term thinking.

Sort out the playing system, scouting and introduce new ideas and make our academy even better with extra technical knowledge from his old job and bring in up and coming talents from France. I think MON is too old school. But who know how long Gerald will stay at Villa Park. He might carry on after 3 years. Maybe Gary McAllister will make the step up afterwards. 

We might become the team for every young English and French players choose to join our academy.