Indecent haste?

[Chris Smith]

Clearly the most important thing is Gerard's health but the club are in a tricky position as they won't want to have uncertainty dragging on into the summer but equally if they were seen to be seeking out a replacement while he is sick they'd be thought of as callous bastards.

[ozzjim]

Pires and someone like Keown might work under Ged as DOF. Moyes is a boring option. Coyle may be good, but like when GED took over, there are not that many options. Maybe Benitez, but his transfer record is pretty dismal so not sure he would be that good.

[avfcpg]

Though I remember Pires saying in an interview that he has no interest in being a manager but would consider an assistant's job.

Has he got any coaching badges?

I bet not.

I'm betting not as well and without them, it's a non starter (unless you are Shearer and the FA manipulate matters for him, again).

I've got level 2, what's Randy's mobile number?

[JJ-AV]

Whatever happens, the board need to make the decision early. This we've had a season of transition in order to 'gear up' for next year (although not their fault). Failing to act quickly will potentialy push the transitional period into next season... and two years of not challenging for anything will do us alot of harm.

We could use Houllier in a similar sort of role he was in at France, perhaps a part time position. Finding players, adding foreign talents to the academy etc.

Get a younger manager on a long contract to take over, the obvious ones are Moyes or Coyle. I'd prefer the latter as he's more flexible and versatile. Houllier's name should see us still be able to attract Makoun types.

However, I'm sure Ged can help find his successor.

[TimTheVillain]

It's premature to be talking about a new Manager and disrespectful I think.

The club must be sounding out a few seasoned Managers - Mark Hughes is my personal favourite, but all to be done at the end of the season.

No more turmoil at VP while the season's still on, and then the board can do what it has to do.

Been one Hell of a crap season this one.

[Shrek]

One thing I am pretty sure of, is Houllier won't just leave us in the shit, he will help guide the club and assist us in the decisions that need to be made, even if he isn't allowed to return.

[villa for life]

Tim - don't your first and second sentences kind of contradict each other!!?

[eastie]

I would like GED to use his expertise in the boardroom and become an ambassador of the club if he doesn't feel up to the director of football role but I think the day to role of manager is probably too much for a man with a history of health issues and he must put his health first.

He can still have a major part to play at the club but probably not as manager and a move upstairs would be less stressful and add a lot of experience of a football nature to randy and Paul - I would not want him to leave the club overall but his health has to come first and foremost.

Maybe David moyes would be happy to take on the job and be happy to have GED in the background upstairs as they are very good friends.

[TimTheVillain]

Tim - don't your first and second sentences kind of contradict each other!!?

A little, but maybe to articulate better, something's wrong about talking about a GH replacement at this possibly delicate time in the health of the man.

However, as we are ( talking about it) - I am advocating a look at Mark Hughes if the club does need a new Manager in the 2011/12 season.

And IF that is the case, we need to be doing it asap.

The club will know exactly what GH's health situation is, as they will be aware of how awful this season was due to MON walking away at such a late stage of the pre-season will act in the club's best interests.

If that means a new Manager, then get him in asap, and I'm saying IF that is the situation, make it Mark Hughes.




 

[dicedlam]

I'm sorry, but people saying it is disrespectful to discuss our clubs future at this time is bollocks.

Yes I hope Houllier makes a full and speedy recovery, but I've got to be honest..It should be the club making the decision on Gerard's future, not the other way round.
FWIW, I think he will call it a day, but we cannot afford to let this drag on over the summer.

and please god no to the spanish waiter.
I could not stand another media induced gushing over the 'This is Anfield' sign.

[eastie]

I don't think it's being disrespectful to gerard if randy has doubts about his ability to continue, his health must come before football and he may well feel himself that it's unwise to continue in such a stressful job, I hope there will be a role for him somewhere at the club because he has vast knowledge and contacts and I'd hate to see him lost to the game .

on a business note though randy obviously has to think about Aston villa and if GED feels or his doctors feel the job involves too much stress for a man in his health then i would expect randy to act fast to secure a replacement , I really do think the moyes rumours could come to fruition as he probably needs a new challenge and I think he's taken everton as far as he can.

[fredm]

Whilst the departure of MON was at the worst possible time for RL and the club, this unfortunate episode with GH's health could possibly have come at a very good time.  And I say that wishing him a very speedy recovery and also the fact that I was looking towards a very interesting summer of new arrivals (and departures) and a new look Villa next season.

It was said when GH was appointed that he had been given a clean bill of health by his doctors, well unfortunately it would appear they were incorrect.  Even if GH wishes to carry on, and personally would expect his wife to veto that, I do not feel that RL can allow it to happen with the possibility of a repeat episode at any time taking GH away from the club for a period of weeks or even months.

By happening now, this occurrence allows RL and PF four weeks for the opportunity to sound out, probably via agents, who would be interested in being appointed and then, when the season officially ends, immediately make an official approach for the chosen one.  That way an appointment could be made within days of the end of the season allowing that person all the summer to decide on those leaving and those to be brought in.

As an aside, the name of Mark Hughes was mentioned as having been in the frame prior to MON's departure, and following Martin Jol's resignation recently I read somewhere that Fulham had spoken to him as Hughes was only on a 1 year contract with them and talks about a new one had been put on hold.  This was when we were on the edge of the bottom 3 and the possibility of GH having his contract terminated was being aired.  Have not seen anything since to say that Hughes has signed a further contract.

[Des Little]

If we are talking about possible replacements for Ged, then Moyes has to be first choice, followed by Owen Coyle and possibly Paul Lambert IMO

[joe_c]

If, heaven forbid, an influential player were to be sidelined long term, I don't think anyone would be clutching their pearls and saying it was disrespectful. We do in the instance have the luxury of a little time to explore all the options open to us whether it be to allow Houllier the time to recover or to start the search for a replacement.

[itbrvilla]

Am I the only one who doesn't want Moyes?