The future of Houllier and McAllister?

[pauliewalnuts]

The latest comments from the general in his thread do not sound like GH is 'on the brink' of a return. Just a gut feeling from it.

That's exactly the impression I got, too.

[sfx412]

The latest comments from the general in his thread do not sound like GH is 'on the brink' of a return. Just a gut feeling from it.

Sounded more like a 'get off the case' warning to me.

I just can't understand firstly how he can ever consider such a job again and secondly why Villa are considering the situation still.
Things need sorting, things need doing, limbo is not the best advice, ask any Villa fan who lived through the weeks after Mon's walk out.

[Damo70]

I'm thinking that GH is (with advice from his family and even more importantly doctors) deciding what he is going to do. Villa have quite reasonably set a kind of deadline of a couple of weeks. I would imagine that the club (Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner) have a preference of what answer they are hoping for. If everyone wants to call it quits or everyone wants him to continue no problem. If they hope he stays but he wants to go, they will get someone else. If they are hoping for him to go and he wants to stay, then they have to try and agree the old mutual consent or sack him. (Not great PR if he doesn't go quietly).

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'd imagine there is an insurance policy that will pay out should GH have to retire for health reasons.

The club are doing the honourable thing by waiting for the doctor's report next week but I imagine the wheels are already in motion as to who will be filling the hot seat next season.

Let's just wish GH a full and healthy recovery. It's the least he deserves.

[Ger Regan]

I'd imagine there is an insurance policy that will pay out should GH have to retire for health reasons.

The club are doing the honourable thing by waiting for the doctor's report next week but I imagine the wheels are already in motion as to who will be filling the hot seat next season.

Let's just wish GH a full and healthy recovery. It's the least he deserves.

Exactly. And there's a world of difference between this situation and the one we faced after O'Neill left. We can afford to wait another week or so without seriously affecting our chances next week. Plus it won't be completely out of the blue, meaning that at least Randy will have started to think of who he may want to appoint.

[Greg N'Ash]

I'd like a decison by early next week latest. Clubs are buying players, signing ours even, contracts need to be sorted and plans need to be made. If he stays then at least i'd hope he was putting feelers out for players and making plans before the illness. If he leaves then the next guy has precious little time to identify his targets and bring them in. He'd be starting from scratch with what looks to be a severely depleted squad. Monday/Tuesday next week at the latest Randy.

[pauliewalnuts]

We can't wait too long.

If GH is well enough to go back to work, he'll know it now. It is not as if an extra couple of weeks is going to bring about a massive change in his long term prospects, surely?

If the board want him to stay, I'll back them, but with some serious reservations. If they think he's got to go, then I don't blame them.

Whatever they do, the absolute worst thing would be to spend weeks prevaricating about it. Houllier has to put his own health first, they're right to say that, but at the same time, we can not hang around too long waiting for him to get better.

It's all a bit harsh and cut throat, maybe, but that's football. If they sleepwalk into a repeat of last season - entering the pre season and season proper with managerial uncertainty, then they can really expect no sympathy from us.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Monday/Tuesday next week at the latest Randy.

Surely you mean 'Doug'?

[Clampy]

I don't think they will this time Paulie, The General hinted not long ago that mistakes were made last time and i would hope that the length of time it took them to appoint GH was one of them and they recognise that.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I so hope Lerners team have candidates lined up. (whatever the decision) and i hope Ancelloti is the number one choice. He is the only current manager who i think 90%+ of the fans would have no problem with ......

[eastie]

It appears according to the telegraph sources which are usually reliable that Gerard has told the club he will be resuming his job on July 2nd and fully expects to continue as manager-sky have also reported he will return on July 2nd so I guess we can forget about a replacement.

[Nev]

It appears according to the telegraph sources which are usually reliable that Gerard has told the club he will be resuming his job on July 2nd and fully expects to continue as manager-sky have also reported he will return on July 2nd so I guess we can forget about a replacement.

"Telling the club" and "expecting to continue" may be at odds with what the club wants. It's imperative that this is confirmed one way or the other as soon as possible.

[Clampy]

It appears according to the telegraph sources which are usually reliable that Gerard has told the club he will be resuming his job on July 2nd and fully expects to continue as manager-sky have also reported he will return on July 2nd so I guess we can forget about a replacement.

Sky were just reporting what the Telegraph had printed this morning, so it was'nt really two separate sources.  I don't think anyone knows anything yet, the media are just speculating like we all are.

[eastie]

edit

[eastie]

ASTON VILLA manager Gerard Houllier has targeted a return to work with Aston Villa – after doctors reassured him that his recent health scare was nothing to do with his job. He expects to be back at the helm for pre-season training as early as July 7.
He is already lining up a raft of transfer deals ahead of the new season. Houllier, 63, has been on sick leave from Aston Villa since April 20 after suffering chest pains, but hopes to get a final go-ahead from doctors to return to work over the next few days.
A close friend said: “He is now more active, taking walks, and is waiting for them to clear him. He is very keen to get on with things.
“He has been working on his transfer targets for some time now and wants to recruit some new players to strengthen the team.”
There had been fears at the club that the pressures of management might have been too much for Houllier to return to the Villa Park hotseat, with Gary McAllister acting as caretaker manager in his absence. But the Daily Express understands that doctors have now indicated this is not the case.
Our source added: “This had nothing to do with stress – and it could happen in any job.”
Houllier, 63, is keen to strengthen his squad with players who fit his philosophy. “He has been working on his transfer targets for some time and wants to recruit some new players,” added the source. But there are concerns within Villa for Houllier’s health and doubts about whether he should return to the stresses of football management. But our source is adamant that there are no medical reasons why Houllier cannot return over the summer. “People think Gerard has a heart problem,” he said. “His heart is strong. This is about the aorta. Once it heals, he’ll be fine. This has nothing to do with stress; this could happen in any job.” Relegated West Ham are set to slash their wage bill further by selling Thomas Hitzlsperger back to Villa, where he began his career in English football a decade ago.

Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/248873/Gerard-Houllier-making-a-date-for-returnGerard-Houllier-making-a-date-for-return#ixzz1NRSJOH4F