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

[pauliewalnuts]

To me its all pointing towards Benitez now. We know he wants the job, available, best record out of those remaining. Unless RL is considering some candidate without premiership experience which seems doubtful, I reckon he's our man.

I reckon you're right, Gregory.

Yes, it's well reasoned. I also wouldn't be suprised if somebody completely out of leftfield came in. Like van Basten.
And I'm not ruling out Ancelotti yet either. Not completely anyway.

What did he actually say and was it a direct quote or 'a source close to Carlo says' type of story?

And my leftfield stab in the dark is Klinsmann.

No, it was direct quotes from an interview.

The interview wasn't out of date, either, as it talked about the Villa and Fulham vacancies.

The only straw of comfort to be taken from it is that there was - or did I imagine this - some talk a few weeks ago of Ancelotti having a contract clause with Chelsea about him not being able to manage in the PL for a year, and then he says he's taking a year off - ie he's got no choice in the matter, rather than "nah, don't fancy it"

[maidstonevillain]

Not Benitz please. What next after him? Dalglish?

No, you missed out Hodgson.

Joking aside, I would quite happily settle for Hodgson. Maybe he is a good left field candidate.

[Villa'Zawg]

It will not be Hughes and it will not be MaClaren !

Good.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I've heard a rumour that Mysteryman on here is a fake!

it should not be Hughes but I'd rather it was Hughes than Mclaren

[Concrete John]

To me its all pointing towards Benitez now. We know he wants the job, available, best record out of those remaining. Unless RL is considering some candidate without premiership experience which seems doubtful, I reckon he's our man.

I reckon you're right, Gregory.

Yes, it's well reasoned. I also wouldn't be suprised if somebody completely out of leftfield came in. Like van Basten.
And I'm not ruling out Ancelotti yet either. Not completely anyway.

What did he actually say and was it a direct quote or 'a source close to Carlo says' type of story?

And my leftfield stab in the dark is Klinsmann.

No, it was direct quotes from an interview.

The interview wasn't out of date, either, as it talked about the Villa and Fulham vacancies.

The only straw of comfort to be taken from it is that there was - or did I imagine this - some talk a few weeks ago of Ancelotti having a contract clause with Chelsea about him not being able to manage in the PL for a year, and then he says he's taking a year off - ie he's got no choice in the matter, rather than "nah, don't fancy it"

Quite possibly.

That might also fit with the speculation about Redknapp and the England job, with Carlo the taking Spurs, as Capello's contract runs out around this time next year. 

[badluckeric(gates)]

Not sure what he is now.

FSW   
Though in fairness and whilst not my first choice would be a reasonable compromise when you look at what else is available.

[Legion]

I've heard a rumour that Mysteryman on here is a fake!

it should not be Hughes but I'd rather it was Hughes than Mclaren

No, he's the real deal.

[Villa'Zawg]

I can't believe that McClaren would be second choice to Ancelloti. One guy who's won everything,to another who's a bit of a laughing stock.

I might lump on Rafa ,anyone got his latest odds ?

Can't access gambling sites at work. However I lumped on Rafa within minutes of GH leaving last Wednesday and got 5/1 (not great).

24 hours later he was 10/1 as Hughes had just quit Fulham! Not sure what he is now.

Rafa is still available at top price 10/1.

[DB]

We seem to be chasing our own tails... MM does seem to know the score.
I have a hunch it will be Rafa now....

[Outcast2006]

I hope it is Moyes to be honest now.

[fbriai]

And I'm not ruling out Ancelotti yet either. Not completely anyway.

The quotes that are being cited in the various Ancelotti articles are based on an interview he gave to La Stampa. I've taken the relevant bits and translated them here below:

La Stampa
Ancelotti: "Presto per la Roma Ho deciso: mi fermo un anno"
by Paolo Brusorio

The article publishes the questions put to Ancelotti by the journalist directly, along with his replies.

They begin by talking about the betting scandle currently gripping Italian football, then:

PB: Un simile scandalo in Inghilterra sarebbe stato possibile?
CA: «No. E non perché non girino soldi, ma la cultura è diversa, il risultato non è tutto. Esistono e resistono altri valori, quelli che tengono lontano certi personaggi».

PB: Allora Inghilterra for ever?
CA: «No, io mi sento italiano fino in fondo, ma questa esperienza mi è piaciuta...».

PB: Tanto da cercare un'altra squadra? Fulham, Aston Villa: ne restano poche ormai.
CA: «No, tanto da tornare a Londra e da lì organizzarmi la vita. Tranne una parentesi di sei mesi, alleno di fila dal ‘95: mi fermo un anno e mi guardo in giro, mi aggiorno, studio come lavorano i colleghi».

PB: Ancelotti non allenerà l'anno prossimo, lo scriviamo?
CA: «Sì. Non ho fretta né l'esigenza».

PB: Lei al posto di Wenger all'Arsenal: impossibile?
CA: «Mai stato contattato da alcuna squadra inglese».

Quick translation:

PB: Would a similar scandal be possible in England?
CA: No. And not because there isn't plenty of money, but because the culture is different, the result isn't everything. Other values exist and resist, those that keep certain types of people at a distance.

PB: So, England forever?
CA: No, I feel Italian right to the end, but I've enjoyed this experience....

PB: But looking for another team? Fulham, Aston Villa: there are only few left really.
CA: No, just to return to London and from there organise my life. Apart from a six month break, I've been training non-stop since '95: I'm going to stop for a year and look around me, update myself, study how my colleagues are working..

PB: So Ancelotti will not be coaching next year, shall we write it?
CA: Yes, I'm not in a hurry and don't have the need.

PB: Is it impossible that you could take Wenger's place at Arsenal?
CA: I've not been contacted by any English team.

They then go on to talk about other topics: Roma, Juventus, Barcelona.

Obviously, translation is in itself interpretation - I've translated 'certi personaggi' as 'certain types of people', for example, but there are myriad alternatives. However, he is pretty clear in that he is going to take a year off. The journalist even asks him if they should write it.

[Greg N'Ash]

reading that, i'd say he's unavailable unless a job he wants comes up. So not really unavailable then.....

[fbriai]

reading that, i'd say he's unavailble unless a job he wants comes up. So not really unavaiiable then.....

I agree, Greg.

[Outcast2006]

Just unavailable to us.

[Greg N'Ash]

He was always a long shot anyway. I think RL would have to prove there was a substantial sum available - at least MON type spending - to convince him we were serious in getting into the CL.