Who Should be Aston Villa Manager ? Now with new, revised poll

[Percy McCarthy]

Voted for Hughes, but being swayed by the Martinez faction. I'd also be happy with Moyes, Ancellotti or Benitez (even though I dislike him). Firm 'no' to GH though.

[Mister E]

Roberto Martinez with GHou up stairs doing the paperwork for him.

Yep, I suggested this on another thread and I think he is oe of a number who would shine if GHou remained as the boardroom mentor - Martinez has a good CV, but so too do Lambert, McDermott and Lee Clark, all of whom would greatly benefit from the experiecne of working with GHou in a large-club environment.
It could work becuase they'd all feel that this is their big break and would strive to make it succeed.
It would also take us away from any the Billy-Big-Bollox that might come in with ego but lack of real passion and commitment.

[JJ-AV]

Ancelotti, Benitez, Moyes, Hughes, Sanchez Flores, Martinez.

In that order for me.

[Pete3206]

Gerard should stay, the ground work has been done over the past 8 months.  To start all over again will mean another wasted season.  Gerard will have far better developed contacts in football throughout Europe than any of the other candidates listed with the possible exception of Ancellotti who is probably on a par.

I am confident that players have been identified over the course of the last 8 months and that it is Gerard's intention to move on these over the summer.  The challenge is to clear the more stubborn deadwood such as Warnock and Beye, bring in the players on his hit list and blend in the cream of our youngsters.

Exactly.

Houllier is on a par with Ancelotti? Not for me.

[Damo70]

I think if we have any chance of getting Ancelotti we have to pull out all the stops. Won a double in England twelve months ago, Champions league winner with Milan and a runners up spot with Parma and a promotion with Reggiana shows he can manage clubs of all sizes and stature. I like Moyes and Hughes but I can't join the Martinez bandwagon, a couple of poor league finishes with Wigan put me off.

[Irish villain]

There needs to be a decision on GH real soon. Somebody needs to come in and steady the ship re Downing and start getting some new players in. If it's GH so be it but there's too much uncertainty at villa still (and I feel it would be for the best if a new manager came in as those doubts will linger if GH returns from his health scare).

[andyh]

I think there has never been a better time for RL to look at the club and decide with a certain degree of confidence on the route we should take.
If, during the dark days of last season, he had ANY doubts that Houllier was the right man, then he has a great opportunity to put that right, without losing his reputation and being made to look like a ruthless, heartless bastard (ala West Ham and Chelsea).
RL can 'retire' Gerard by citing the clubs wishes to protect his health. The club can shake him by the hand and wish him a long and healthy retirement and look like we are doing the right thing by him.
In the meantime, it apears to me that there has never been a better time to be shopping for a new manager given the availability or 'get ability' of some top names.
Ancellotti and Wilkins appear (to me) to be the dream team. Bloody hell, that just shows the situation we are in. We could never hope to have a chance of that kind of management team at the Villa, but now it is a possibility, a very small one, but a possibility nonetheless.

Come on Randy, sieze the moment. It may never come round again.
 

[Nev]

The No's:

Hughes- Robinho was signed when he was on the golfcourse and knew nothing about it. He should've resigned on principle.

Benitez- Blew Liverpool's only chance of the league in the last 20 years by underestimating some of the  lesser  teams in the PL, assuming he could leave Gerrard and Torres out and still win. A busted flush and makes GH look like an Evertonian.

Curbishley-Tired looking and lacking drive and hunger.

GH- As above. Struggles to transfer any ethusiasm into the team. Suspect backroom staff.

The maybe's:

Jol- Appears to be a decent coach, still has something to prove in England

Ancellotti- Good record but does he have any hunger after his Chelsea experience or will he want to prove a point?

The yes:

Moyes- Still has a lot to prove, gone a bit stale at Everton and may benefit from a change of scenery. Has worrying echoes of MON but also some similar qualities. Will demand, and get the best of the players but can he bring progress and success? Fuck knows, it's a risk but one worth taking and may be more interesting than plodding along and hoping for the best in the cups.

[Risso]

Gerard should stay, the ground work has been done over the past 8 months.  To start all over again will mean another wasted season.  Gerard will have far better developed contacts in football throughout Europe than any of the other candidates listed with the possible exception of Ancellotti who is probably on a par.

I am confident that players have been identified over the course of the last 8 months and that it is Gerard's intention to move on these over the summer.  The challenge is to clear the more stubborn deadwood such as Warnock and Beye, bring in the players on his hit list and blend in the cream of our youngsters.

Exactly.

I'll ask again for the umpteenth time, where's the evidence for this superb network of contacts that Houllier has?  He mostly bought a load of shite at Liverpool, and his one stand out success at Villa transfer wise has been Darren Bent, a player who most of us on here have been banging on about for years.  If his network of contacts is so brilliant, how come he was turned down by all and sundry for the assistant manager's job, so that we ended up with Gary fucking McAllister?

[PaulTheVillan]

Yes because he's had years and years to show us.

[Big Dick Edwards]

Gerard should stay, the ground work has been done over the past 8 months.  To start all over again will mean another wasted season.  Gerard will have far better developed contacts in football throughout Europe than any of the other candidates listed with the possible exception of Ancellotti who is probably on a par.

I am confident that players have been identified over the course of the last 8 months and that it is Gerard's intention to move on these over the summer.  The challenge is to clear the more stubborn deadwood such as Warnock and Beye, bring in the players on his hit list and blend in the cream of our youngsters.

Exactly.

I'll ask again for the umpteenth time, where's the evidence for this superb network of contacts that Houllier has?  He mostly bought a load of shite at Liverpool, and his one stand out success at Villa transfer wise has been Darren Bent, a player who most of us on here have been banging on about for years.  If his network of contacts is so brilliant, how come he was turned down by all and sundry for the assistant manager's job, so that we ended up with Gary fucking McAllister?

For the umpteenth time, Houllier hasn't yet had a summer transfer window to shop in. The January window is acknowledged to be a difficult window in which to buy but he still managed to get the best English goalscorer in the league to join us. He also bought in Makoun, a player with Champions League experience. As for the load of shite he bought at Liverpool, they helped the club win 5 trophies in a year!

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I think there has never been a better time for RL to look at the club and decide with a certain degree of confidence on the route we should take.
If, during the dark days of last season, he had ANY doubts that Houllier was the right man, then he has a great opportunity to put that right, without losing his reputation and being made to look like a ruthless, heartless bastard (ala West Ham and Chelsea).
RL can 'retire' Gerard by citing the clubs wishes to protect his health. The club can shake him by the hand and wish him a long and healthy retirement and look like we are doing the right thing by him.
In the meantime, it apears to me that there has never been a better time to be shopping for a new manager given the availability or 'get ability' of some top names.
Ancellotti and Wilkins appear (to me) to be the dream team. Bloody hell, that just shows the situation we are in. We could never hope to have a chance of that kind of management team at the Villa, but now it is a possibility, a very small one, but a possibility nonetheless.

Come on Randy, sieze the moment. It may never come round again.
 

Excellent post. As clearly stated Lerner has a massive opportunity here. I have no problem with Houllier but a lingering doubt will install negativity surrounding the club even if reports suggested he was ok to continue. And if that negativity became fact. We will not have a selection of managers available at a later stage. This could lead to an exodus of our top players .......

[monkeyboy]

Gerard should stay, the ground work has been done over the past 8 months.  To start all over again will mean another wasted season.  Gerard will have far better developed contacts in football throughout Europe than any of the other candidates listed with the possible exception of Ancellotti who is probably on a par.

I am confident that players have been identified over the course of the last 8 months and that it is Gerard's intention to move on these over the summer.  The challenge is to clear the more stubborn deadwood such as Warnock and Beye, bring in the players on his hit list and blend in the cream of our youngsters.

Exactly.

I'll ask again for the umpteenth time, where's the evidence for this superb network of contacts that Houllier has?  He mostly bought a load of shite at Liverpool, and his one stand out success at Villa transfer wise has been Darren Bent, a player who most of us on here have been banging on about for years.  If his network of contacts is so brilliant, how come he was turned down by all and sundry for the assistant manager's job, so that we ended up with Gary fucking McAllister?

Spot on Risso

GH and GM have been a disaster and let's not get too carried away with the last 2 games - we were gash all year (bar first game when we were awesome - with Milner :-( )

Best defence to worst in a few short months, massive unrest in the camp, awful relationship with the fans, his European contacts led to the the folk he brought in - who didn't pull up trees - Bent was obvious if we could spunk up the cash, thats one for Randy.

Bottom line GH is ill - he need protecting from himself, and GM is second rate plain and simple.

Love to see Ancelotti AND Wilkins (Wilkins critical to this for me)

Ancelotti will be a draw card for talent - and Wilkins seems to understand the coaches role perfectly - dovetailing with the manager, only worry could be his hard on for Chelsea - but his treatment by the Russian could motivate him to stick one up RA's arse - who knows. Also sitting next to Jamie fuckin' Redknapp each week for Sky would have to motivate him to take any job to get away - so VP could be attractive.

We are going to lose players in the summer - Ash is gone, Downing may follow - i'b bet on Ancelotti/Wilkins making those two think twice far more than GH/GM - and if they did decide to go still - i'd back A/W to make a better fist of replacing them.

my 2p's worth

[mcgrath_85]

Gerard should stay, the ground work has been done over the past 8 months.  To start all over again will mean another wasted season.  Gerard will have far better developed contacts in football throughout Europe than any of the other candidates listed with the possible exception of Ancellotti who is probably on a par.

Risso, Monkey: my thoughts entirely. Those two clowns have to go. We should be breaking our backs in order to appoint Ancellotti and Wilkins.

I am confident that players have been identified over the course of the last 8 months and that it is Gerard's intention to move on these over the summer.  The challenge is to clear the more stubborn deadwood such as Warnock and Beye, bring in the players on his hit list and blend in the cream of our youngsters.

Exactly.

I'll ask again for the umpteenth time, where's the evidence for this superb network of contacts that Houllier has?  He mostly bought a load of shite at Liverpool, and his one stand out success at Villa transfer wise has been Darren Bent, a player who most of us on here have been banging on about for years.  If his network of contacts is so brilliant, how come he was turned down by all and sundry for the assistant manager's job, so that we ended up with Gary fucking McAllister?

Spot on Risso

GH and GM have been a disaster and let's not get too carried away with the last 2 games - we were gash all year (bar first game when we were awesome - with Milner :-( )

Best defence to worst in a few short months, massive unrest in the camp, awful relationship with the fans, his European contacts led to the the folk he brought in - who didn't pull up trees - Bent was obvious if we could spunk up the cash, thats one for Randy.

Bottom line GH is ill - he need protecting from himself, and GM is second rate plain and simple.

Love to see Ancelotti AND Wilkins (Wilkins critical to this for me)

Ancelotti will be a draw card for talent - and Wilkins seems to understand the coaches role perfectly - dovetailing with the manager, only worry could be his hard on for Chelsea - but his treatment by the Russian could motivate him to stick one up RA's arse - who knows. Also sitting next to Jamie fuckin' Redknapp each week for Sky would have to motivate him to take any job to get away - so VP could be attractive.

We are going to lose players in the summer - Ash is gone, Downing may follow - i'b bet on Ancelotti/Wilkins making those two think twice far more than GH/GM - and if they did decide to go still - i'd back A/W to make a better fist of replacing them.

my 2p's worth

[maidstonevillain]

Where's the Dave Jones option?