The future of Houllier and McAllister?

[KevinGage]

Perhaps not a disaster, no.

But certainly a record of underachievement for at least the last few years.

In contrast to some of the other names circulating who have probably overachieved with their resources.

[Lowendbehold]

You never know what the issue was at Inter, but following Mourinho must have been difficult, and you don't know what barriers were there with the squad. However, given the option of all those being touted, I would gamble on Rafa.

It wasn't that long ago that we were chanting, "You're only a fat Spanish waiter".

He left both Valencia and Liverpool broke.  Made bad decisions at Liverpool and bought some pretty poor players.  We can do better.

The owners left Liverpool broke, very harsh to level that at Benitez. Valencia I haven't a clue of the workings, but he had a brilliant squad together there at one stage.

He made his name at Valencia.  My point is he spent more than his clubs could afford and he didn't spend wisely.  Liverpool needed a striker to partner Torres, so he blew the budget on a right back, £18m on Johnson and the rest on an injury prone and actually injured Aquillani who wasn't fit for 4 or 5 months and wasn't good enough either.

[Eigentor]

But certainly a record of underachievement for at least the last few years.

I disagree. I think he did excellent in his penultimate season at Liverpool. In his last he got too occupied with fighting the owners and underachieved. At Inter he was somewhat disappointing but wasn't really given a chance.

I'm not saying that he should be rushed to Bodymoor Heath at whatever cost may be. But his record of winning trophies with clubs that weren't really favourites to win makes him an interesting candidate.

[Ger Regan]

I'd be more concerned with his apparent reluctance to play youth players from his time at Liverpool more than anything.

[Clampy]

I think the downfall of Benitez started around the time he tried to piss us about over Barry. He seemed to lose the plot after that, spending huge amounts on average players. I remember a lot of us on here wanted Liverpool to keep him for as long as possible because he was making a bit of a pigs ear of things.

Something tells me it would'nt work out for him here.

[Mazrim]

In fairness I dont think he really had them. I remember watching our youth team take theirs to pieces when he was Liverpool manager.
I wasn't impressed. None have really come though in the last few years and only now are we seeing one or two come through and they dont look like world beaters either.

No manager appointed is going to neglect our youth set up because Randy won't allow it for one and it would be in their remit when appointed, plus its a pretty good resource for us and you'd have to be a twat to ignore it. Whoever gets the job is going to have to work with the youngsters.

Ive heard good arguments for and against Rafa on this thread though. I'm still undecided on him. I know his record is excellent but I think hes a bit of a bell end. If he got the job I'd support him of course.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Would rather take the decision and hope that Houlliers health is sufficient to continue than have Benitez. I would really struggle to be able to support him. Think Houllier can do a good job for Villa but it really is a massive gamble .........

[Dante Lavelli]

I too am not particularly excited by the prospect of Benitez.  I cannot put my finger on why as he has an impressive CV.  One thing which is a good sign is he appears to really want the job so he will hopefully be hungry to succeed and buy into Randy's plans.

 

[Greg N'Ash]

from the mirror. villa eye moyes or hughes as next boss

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-are-closely-monitoring-Everton-manager-David-Moyes-and-Fulham-boss-Mark-Hughes-as-the-likelihood-increases-Gerard-Houllier-will-not-return-to-dugout-after-latest-heart-scare-article737471.html

[brontebilly]

I think the downfall of Benitez started around the time he tried to piss us about over Barry. He seemed to lose the plot after that, spending huge amounts on average players. I remember a lot of us on here wanted Liverpool to keep him for as long as possible because he was making a bit of a pigs ear of things.

Something tells me it would'nt work out for him here.

Incorrect, Liverpool nearly won the league the summer after the Barry debacle and got the CL semi final. It spurred on Alonso's best season for Liverpool but also hastened his exit.

Would rather take the decision and hope that Houlliers health is sufficient to continue than have Benitez. I would really struggle to be able to support him. Think Houllier can do a good job for Villa but it really is a massive gamble .........

That is just absolute madness. Leaving aside his health, a look at our points total means that we needed a new manager regardless.

To be fair to Benitez, he completely revamped the academy at Liverpool that wasnt working. Perhaps Dalglish is seeing the benefit of it now.

Benitez has by far the best CV in the race. Id worry about how committed he would be and his ability to cause trouble but if his heart was truly in the job then its a no brainer.

[OzVilla]

A massive NO to Ailsa.

[pauliewalnuts]

A massive NO to Ailsa.

Agree

a truly mediocre appointment

[pauliewalnuts]

Slightly off tangent, but did anyone else notice the physical similarity between the glum faced Dominique Strauss-Kahn being lead to court by NY rozzers and the glum faced GH we've seen on our bench this season?

[TonyD]

Mark Hughes would be a waste of 2 seasons.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I don't want Rafa or Mark Hughes or Fat Sam.

I want to see Gerard, Graham Taylor and  Ron Atkinson and Randy Lerner to do interview together. We need to find the man to be our Arsene Wenger.