The future of Houllier and McAllister?

[Concrete John]

From listening to the pod it seemed that Rafa Benitez to Villa is on.

That's my gut feeling, too. I'm going to have to find a way to accept a bloke who has always irritated the fuck out of me. Fact.

You and me both. I still think it will be Moyes though, with Houllier retained in some capacity..

I'd be happy with that.

I have a similar dislike for Benitez personally, but would give him a chance if he does end up here.

[cheltenhamlion]

Houllier won't be back and, knowing a bit about Randy's thinking, I would be surprised if Moyes wasn't the first name on the list to interview.

[garyshawsknee]

Would the club still have a policy of looking for someone who isn't in employment?

And when they employed GH,a big thing was made about working with youth,wouldn't this work against RB?

[Concrete John]

Would the club still have a policy of looking for someone who isn't in employment?

And when they employed GH,a big thing was made about working with youth,wouldn't this work against RB?

I'd hope that they learnt their lesson on that last time.

As for FSW and youth, I don't think he had much coming through at Liverpool during his tenure.  But didn't I hear that he changed the youth set up there and they're now seeing some rewards from that?

[Toronto Villa]

Would the club still have a policy of looking for someone who isn't in employment?

And when they employed GH,a big thing was made about working with youth,wouldn't this work against RB?

was it a policy or circumstance at the time? Also, hiring an employed manager in June would I assume be a little easier than getting one 4 weeks into the season. Somebody as loyal and dedicated as Moyes has proved to be wouldn't want to put his club in the shit just as MON did to us.

[Ger Regan]

Would the club still have a policy of looking for someone who isn't in employment?

And when they employed GH,a big thing was made about working with youth,wouldn't this work against RB?

I've a feeling that policy was as a result of the timing of the search (i.e. early september) rather than anything else.

[Mazrim]

Yeah, it's not like we only go after out of contract players.

[Mister E]

As for FSW and youth, I don't think he had much coming through at Liverpool during his tenure.  But didn't I hear that he changed the youth set up there and they're now seeing some rewards from that?

If you believe his article in last Sunday's Times, he is credited with all the good things coming through the RedScouse Youth system right now. And his CV is generally pretty impressive.
My concern with the FSW is that - apart from wanting to slap him around his chunky red Spanish face whenever I see him interviewed* - he is a bit like GHou; still somewhat besotted with Liverpool.



* Sounds a little pervy, that clause: I just mean that in some irrational way he irritates me! that's all.

[Mazrim]

There are some murmurings over on VT of Houllier meeting Randy with his solicitor today or tomorrow.
Whether there's any truth in it or what it means for us, I don't know.

[cheltenhamlion]

I wouldn't be at all surprised. Give him a send off against the scousers and get cracking for next season at 6pm on Sunday.

[Concrete John]

There are some murmurings over on VT of Houllier meeting Randy with his solicitor today or tomorrow.
Whether there's any truth in it or what it means for us, I don't know.

On the premise that this is true, then a manager under contract talking about next season's plans with his chairman doesn't need a solicitor.  A manager negotiating leaving and/or a change of roles would.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Think Sunday will be statement day. One thing Learner has found out is that it is a short period from the end of the season to the start of it. And with the amount of players contracts and ins and outs what are going to have to take place. The manager is going to need as much time as possible ....

[eastie]

Benitez has a great cv as a manager and would be an interesting choice- whether he would cope with the financial constraints I don't know but I think he would do a decent job- if we are realistic we are a long way off competing with the top 4 and maybe a Europa league place and a cup will be the ambitions in the next few years.

City and Chelsea can spend crazy cash and arsenal are sitting on a huge wedge of cash, utd will stay up there and we will be doing well to compete with Liverpool, spurs and everton for the 5th and 6th places.

[Clampy]

Benitez has got a bit of a habit of making bizarre substitutions which would worry me.  Can you imagine the uproar if he took off Bent whilst we were chasing a game, like he did on numerous occasions with Torres?

[Eigentor]

Benitez has got a bit of a habit of making bizarre substitutions which would worry me.  Can you imagine the uproar if he took off Bent whilst we were chasing a game, like he did on numerous occasions with Torres?

The difference between Torres and Bent is that Torres hasn't been in form for about one and a half season.