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

[dave.woodhall]

The more I think about Hughes, the more I think Ron Saunders. Did okay with smaller teams, couldn't cope with the usual Manchester City carnival, and still looking to prove himself.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I must say I'm a little surprised at some of the less ambitious names being mentioned on here and from the phone-in on WM tonight.

Are expectations really that low or am I wrong in thinking there are better managers out there than Hughes, Moyes, Benitez and McClaren?

It's all a bit MON, must have worked in the Premier League.

[spangley1812]

I must say I'm a little surprised at some of the less ambitious names being mentioned on here and from the phone-in on WM tonight.

Are expectations really that low or am I wrong in thinking there are better managers out there than Hughes, Moyes, Benitez and McClaren?

It's all a bit MON, must have worked in the Premier League.

Who would be on your list then Mark............

[hilts_coolerking]

The more I think about Hughes, the more I think Ron Saunders. Did okay with smaller teams, couldn't cope with the usual Manchester City carnival, and still looking to prove himself.

It sounds like you're trying to be positive rather than feeling genuinely positive Dave.  Given who else is available Hughes would be a disappointing choice.  "Okay" is about right.

[paul_e]

I must say I'm a little surprised at some of the less ambitious names being mentioned on here and from the phone-in on WM tonight.

Are expectations really that low or am I wrong in thinking there are better managers out there than Hughes, Moyes, Benitez and McClaren?

It's all a bit MON, must have worked in the Premier League.

I have the same issue with most of the names listed as well.  We're a very big club, we're probably in the top 5 clubs in europe that are looking for a manager this summer.  At least 2 top managers have stated they want to work in england (ancelotti and van gaal). 

Is Hughes going to have Young or Downing rushing to sign a new contract?  Is Ancelotti?

Are top stars across europe going to be interested in at least having a look around if we have one of the best managers in the world at the helm?

We're at a crossroads right now where we can play it safe and go for a manager who has kept teams around the top half of the table and has made decent signings and played ok football, or we can push the boat out and make a statement that we're not happy being top 8/top 6 and that we want champions league and trophies.

People might call it being unrealistic, I call it being ambitious.

[SoccerHQ]

A big NO to Hughes. Mr Moyes please! Move heaven and earth for him, Mr Lerner!

Forgive me if I'm wrong but don't you regularly come out and say how dire Everton are to watch when Moyes's name gets linked?

Anyway...

I can't believe their won't be a phonecall to Ancelloti's agent just to test the water. If he'd want to come which I doubt, then he has to be the choice. Just use Pires's deused chaffeur to ferry him from London every day if needs be and he'd surely have the kudos to attract some big names here from abroad.

More realistic I expect an approach to Everton to be made within the next few days which will probably be rejected so we might need him to force the issue a little bit.

If not, then yep this clause Hughes supposedly has seems interesting. And if that happens, be prepared for Ireland and Warnock to be given second chances as both played very well previously under him....

A far more interesting array of candidates than last time so these next few weeks should be interesting.

[Clampy]

One name mentioned on the WM phone a few minutes ago is someone that i thought would be in frame for the Chelsea job when i heard Ancelotti had gone and had slipped my mind...Didier Deschamps. He's done well at Marseille and seems to be getting a reputation has a very good coach.

[holtepaul]

kind of agree about Hughes and certainly agree about McLaren.

But Moyes and benitez not very inspiring.

Moyes has worked wonders at a club who are totally skint. He is basically a better version of Redknapp prior to Spurs. I am pretty convinced that where-ever Moyes goes in the end, as long as he gets reasonable money, he will challenge top 4 - and that will do for me.

As for FSW - personally I hate him, but if we have to "make do" with a manager who has won Spanish Leagues, Spanish cups, English Cups, finished 2nd, and won European cups - then, I think I'll take that.

if you think benitez is underwhelming can I ask are you expecting Mourinho or guardiola ?

[l_mckay]

Moyes or Ancelotti would be my choices but wouldnt be to dissapointed with Hughes,done a good job at Fulham

[hilts_coolerking]

I wonder whether Hughes might prefer to stay at Fulham because they're in Europe next season.

[cdbearsfan]

I imagine he'd rather have a nice holiday then have to travel to Kazakhstan or Israel at the end of June!

[villa `cross the mersey]

As usual whoever we get about 50% of fans will not be happy - would be great to get a top European manager but lets keep our feet on the ground - we are better than what Houllier thought we were, however lets be realistic - we do not have the pulling power of being:
In Europe
In London
In the hands of a multi billionaire

If we are not going to get in the top four I would be prepared to pay to watch a team playing with flair and upsetting the "Big Guns" from time to time - my choice = Martinez - I think he deserves a chance to operate  at a bigger club.

[cdbearsfan]

No to Martinez from me. Has done sod all.

[Louzie0]

Story in Times online from 'One minute ago' saying Villa have announced Mark Hughes!

[holtepaul]

I like the idea of martinez - but after this year, dont you think its one helluva risk ?

I mean, he's a decent bloke, thats a defo , he likes to play good football, thats also defo - but Wigans flirtation with relegation wasn't a one off - it was the same last year as well. And I know its Wigan, but Wigan were a mid table club before he came, and have invested, for their size, a lot of money.

I like him, but keeping Wigan up by the skin of his teeth twice is not the basis I want to appoint a manager on.

In fact, you gotta say, with the talent he has, and you are talking Man U and Chelsea are linked with some players, you wonder why they were in the position in the first place.

Nah, nice bloke, hope he gets a chance at a bigger club , but he needs to earn it first.