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

[Matt Collins]

I think it will be Hughes, FSW or possibly moyes, in that order of likelihood.

[hilts_coolerking]

And Benitez and Ancelotti are demonstrably better managers than Moyes and Hughes.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but the crux of my argument is that the success the likes of Benitez and Ancelotti have had is with clubs a level above where Villa are right now, so would that success translate?  As track records go, Moyes has done more in similar conditions to what our new manager will be presented with.

And I'll say it again - I'm not putting any of this up as conclusive proof that someone like Moyes is right, just that it isn't as easy as saying "He's won the CL so would be great for us!"  I think it's more complicated than that.

Of course it is, but winning the CL - as well as domestic cups and leagues - must be some guide as to their ability as a managers.  What concerns me is that while you're right in saying that Moyes / Hughes will be more accustomed to the club's current state than Ancelotti / Benitez (at least in recent times), they're simply inferior managers.

Like I said, you can tie yourself up in knots trying to second guess things like 'can Benitez do it at a lower profile club?', 'can Ancelotti work with inferior players?', 'is Mark Hughes any better than O'Neill?', 'has Moyes got more to offer than he has shown at Everton?' so you're better off just appointing the best manager you possibly can.

[KevinGage]

And Benitez and Ancelotti are demonstrably better managers than Moyes and Hughes.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but the crux of my argument is that the success the likes of Benitez and Ancelotti have had is with clubs a level above where Villa are right now, so would that success translate?  As track records go, Moyes has done more in similar conditions to what our new manager will be presented with.

And I'll say it again - I'm not putting any of this up as conclusive proof that someone like Moyes is right, just that it isn't as easy as saying "He's won the CL so would be great for us!"  I think it's more complicated than that. 

Agreed John.

By the same logic, Hughes got Blackburn to 6th and then 7th on meagre resources and had Citeh got Citeh to a cup semi final and on course for their best season in decades (admittedly not on limited resources).

Ideally we want a manager who can build something here, not one content to coast/ reminisce about former glories.

Not saying I'd discount Ancelotti or Van Gaal if there was genuine interest there. But I can see the appeal in Moyes, Hughes or even Martinez (though I'm not quite sure the latter is ready yet for a gig as big as the Villa).

[Lowendbehold]

Thing about Ancellotti is, he has probably never had the element of control he would have at Villa.  If he wants to stay in the PL as suggested that might be the reason. 

He won't get a bigger club in the short term than Villa.  Unless Sir Twitchalot leaves Spuds for Chelski.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As a slightly bonkers outside bet, Paddy Power have Rijkaard at 40/1

I'd certainly like to see us go Dutch and agree with NeilH about Van Gaal. Ideally I'd prefer Van Basten who could really help us bring through the youngsters. I wouldn't turn my nose up to Frank Rijkaard either.

[Concrete John]

And Benitez and Ancelotti are demonstrably better managers than Moyes and Hughes.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but the crux of my argument is that the success the likes of Benitez and Ancelotti have had is with clubs a level above where Villa are right now, so would that success translate?  As track records go, Moyes has done more in similar conditions to what our new manager will be presented with.

And I'll say it again - I'm not putting any of this up as conclusive proof that someone like Moyes is right, just that it isn't as easy as saying "He's won the CL so would be great for us!"  I think it's more complicated than that.

Of course it is, but winning the CL - as well as domestic cups and leagues - must be some guide as to their ability as a managers.  What concerns me is that while you're right in saying that Moyes / Hughes will be more accustomed to the club's current state than Ancelotti / Benitez (at least in recent times), they're simply inferior managers.

Like I said, you can tie yourself up in knots trying to second guess things like 'can Benitez do it at a lower profile club?', 'can Ancelotti work with inferior players?', 'is Mark Hughes any better than O'Neill?', 'has Moyes got more to offer than he has shown at Everton?' so you're better off just appointing the best manager you possibly can.

Of course you are, but you're not comparing like for like when you consider the jobs Ancelotti has has to Moyes.  Could you realistically expect ANYONE to win the double with Everton?  It's like comparing Phil Neville and Alan Shearer and concluding who's the best player just on medals won.

[hilts_coolerking]

Of course you are, but you're not comparing like for like when you consider the jobs Ancelotti has has to Moyes.  Could you realistically expect ANYONE to win the double with Everton?  It's like comparing Phil Neville and Alan Shearer and concluding who's the best player just on medals won.

Agreed, but what we're after is someone who can get us back in the top six, establish us there and then try to qualify for the CL while maybe winning a domestic cup along the way.  Moyes has qualified for the CL once and Hughes has never done it.  Neither of them has ever won a trophy of any description.  In fact, their records are remarkably similar to that of Martin O'Neill in English football.

So we've tried the 'solid but unspectacular' manager; now I think we need to try a change of approach.

[Concrete John]

Of course you are, but you're not comparing like for like when you consider the jobs Ancelotti has has to Moyes.  Could you realistically expect ANYONE to win the double with Everton?  It's like comparing Phil Neville and Alan Shearer and concluding who's the best player just on medals won.

Agreed, but what we're after is someone who can get us back in the top six, establish us there and then try to qualify for the CL while maybe winning a domestic cup along the way.  Moyes has qualified for the CL once and Hughes has never done it.  Neither of them has ever won a trophy of any description.  In fact, their records are remarkably similar to that of Martin O'Neill in English football.

So we've tried the 'solid but unspectacular' manager; now I think we need to try a change of approach.

Isn't a change of approach what we've just tried with Gezza and ended up 9th?

[hilts_coolerking]

I don't think so.  We needed to appoint a better manager than O'Neill.  We didn't do that in Houllier so it still needs to be done.  I don't believe Moyes and Hughes are any better than O'Neill.

[Concrete John]

Fair enough.

I think Moyes is similar and also has the ability to get good players from overseas, a failiure of Martin's, so maybe that, along with extra finance courtesy of our Randy would be the difference between 6th and 4th?

[hilts_coolerking]

Maybe.  From having had a read of a few Everton sites their big beef with Moyes is his apparent inability to identify and sign a top quality striker.  He'd have one already if he came here so I guess that would be one stumbling block out of the way.  I have to be honest and say he wouldn't inspire me much though.

[sfx412]

Is Hughes out of contract yet ?

[Walmley_Villa]

Is Hughes out of contract yet ?

Tomorrow 1st of June I understand......

[sfx412]

Is Hughes out of contract yet ?

Tomorrow 1st of June I understand......

That's what I'd thought too.

[dave.woodhall]

Is Hughes out of contract yet ?

Tomorrow 1st of June I understand......

That's what I'd thought too.

A cheap option then

Oh look, another Everall dig at the board. Strange how this attitude seems to change whenever you're on the general's thread.