Indecent haste?

[Steve67]

I can only guess of course but I suggest the possitivity coming from Gary Mack is due to the fact that he knows he's out of the door if Gerard Houllier doesn't come back.  I totally agree with the board for thinking about a successor, Houllier is after all 63 and not one for the longer term come what may.  I hope that he comes through this latest scare but I don't think he'll ever be fit enough to see off the heart problem completely.  Football is a business and Villa would be absolutely stupid if they didn't at the very least talk to Mr Houllier about stepping down.

[Louzie0]

.  I totally agree with the board for thinking about a successor, Houllier is after all 63 and not one for the longer term come what may.

Sorry, but the comment above is nothing to do with his health!


Consider Sir Bobby Robson
Still going up to his mid - 70's

and these poor old doddering souls in their 60's:

SAF
Fabio Capello
Arsene Wenger
Neil Warnock
and Dario Gradi in his 70's, still going strong.

It would take a brave HR person to tell any of these  that they're past it.  Patrick Barclay addresses this issue in The Times today, arguing that the best thing for Houllier is to get back in there at Villa, rather than be persuaded by anybody that his age means he should give way to a younger man 'for the future'.

Barclay argues that being wanted and expected back at work is more likely to help GH to a full recovery with renewed vigour than writing him off or assuming age-related decrepitude is imminent.  I agree, wishing I could quote some of the article but it's a pay per view, apparently.

[eastie]

The age of gerard is not a problem, it's his health which is the worry, there have been many managers in their 60s who are successes, redknapp, wenger , ferguson etc are all examples of this but they do not have the health issues that Gerard sadly is suffering from.

[Brend'Watkins]

That's all a very nice thought.  But the reality is that even if GH is given the all clear to return to his role as manager and even if he feels fit and able to do it there is always a likelihood that he could find himself ill again at some stage next season.  Now that might be the same for every manager regardless off age and health history...but in GH's case it's a much, much bigger risk.  Can the club take that risk?  I don't think we can.

[WikiVilla]

With our defence, probably best he steps aside

[Simba]

The Club seem to be saying that any future involvement is up to him. (GH).

I respect that p.r. position but I am sure management is looking at alternatives. Just in case, because another season fractured such as this is unacceptable to everyone involved. No fault directed at anyone. Just business pragmatism.

Anyway, again, given the thread - good luck Gerard and I hope you make the right decision for you and your Family.

I happen to think that we have the management in place to find the solution for next season and beyond.

[olaftab]

We need to get this man Ralph Rangnick from Schaalke. Failing that van Gaal will be fresh and ready. No need to look anywhere else.

[eastie]

I read somewhere that gerards wife had serious worries about him going back into management when he joined us and I would expect she will have a big input into whether he resumes his job- in all honesty he must make the decision that health comes first and foremost.

Unless given a totally clean bill of health which seems unlikely given the circumstances of his illness then I would be very surprised if he returned to the high pressure and stress of day to day football management.

[bertlambshank]

We need to get this man Ralph Rangnick from Schaalke. Failing that van Gaal will be fresh and ready. No need to look anywhere else.

Van gaal yes please.

[nicardinho]

My personal opinion is that Houllier for another season would be no bad thing, to bring some stability over the summer to hopefully build from there.

If this is not possible, I would still take a chance on Martin Jol - provided he has been cured of his addiction of purchasing second-rate midfielders.

[KevinGage]

Like a few have mentioned, DOF-type set ups have a less than healthy success rate in the UK.

But:

If it was a role with clearly defined perimeters, namely if GH's remit was to scout and recommend players, oversee administration et.c in contrast to, say, Comoli's usual input -or the farcical situation at Newcastle with Wise- perhaps it could work.

Even GH's staunchest critics would have to concede there is a wealth of knowledge there to tap into, seems a shame to completely disregard it when (God willing) he's fit enough to return to the game.

Whether a new manager is prepared to cede any kind of ground -or the natural misgivings he might feel by being associated (however loosely) with a less than popular previous regime may prove to be the telling factors there.

Oddly Moyes out of all the usual suspects might be more receptive to the idea, as he does apparently have a lot of time for GH -to the point that he has already taken his recommendation vis a vis players.

If I was to take a punt, I'd go for a promising young manager like Laudrup. I accept I may be on my own with that particular choice mind. After such a traumatic season I'm fairly certain the 'safe' options (Moyes/ Hughes) will most likely hold the biggest appeal for the powers that be. Can't blame them really.

[dave.woodhall]

After such a traumatic season I'm fairly certain the 'safe' options (Moyes/ Hughes) will most likely hold the biggest appeal for the powers that be. Can't blame them really.

I'm not sure. To paraphrase Paul Faulkner, "We wanted someone who would fit in with our philosophy - the Ajax approach, if you like"

[KevinGage]

Then maybe GH with a Laudrup/ Villasboas or even Queiroz (whatever happened to him?) would be the way to go.

[TheSandman]

Quieroz is now manager of Iran.

[JJ-AV]

I'd imagine if Ged was staying on in a part-time capaity he'd be choosing his 'successor'.

He supposedly has a good relationship with Moyes, but I imagine it'll be someone from abroad if we go down the DoF route.