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

[eastie]

How much credit can rikjaard take for the current barcalona team, guardiola took over a team that had a base left behind of which a lot of it can be credited to Frank.

[Concrete John]

This interview with Benitez from The Sunday Times a few weeks back is worth a read: http://trunc.it/fymme

Thats a good interview. I must admit I have gone 180 degrees on Rafa. I would be happy if he came.

If he has a passion for improving players as he claims then that would fit well with emerging crop.

[CJ]

This interview with Benitez from The Sunday Times a few weeks back is worth a read: http://trunc.it/fymme

Thanks for posting that Matt C - good read and makes him look like he'd be an excellent appointment.

[Rodders]

How much credit can rikjaard take for the current barcalona team, guardiola took over a team that had a base left behind of which a lot of it can be credited to Frank.

It would be fair to say that he had a Hell of a budget under Joan Laporta, but also brought through players from their academy such as Xavi, Puyol and I think Iniesta.

Laporta heaped praise on him as he pushed him through the door...

[Michel Sibble]

For shame, Ugo. For shame

Ugo Ehiogu has claimed Aston Villa fans need to be realistic with their expectations about a new manager.

Ex-England boss Steve McClaren has been linked with the Villans and many fans are unhappy at the possibility of the 50-year-old taking charge at Villa Park.

    But Ehiogu has defended his former manager at Middlesbrough and believes he would be an excellent appointment at the club.

    Speaking to Saggers and Quinny, he said: “Having worked with Steve McClaren I believe he would be a good acquisition for Villa.

    “He’s very methodical, innovative with his training and he’s worked with some top, top player.

    “During my time at Middlesbrough there was probably only two or three months where I was unhappy and that’s probably because I wasn’t in the team.
    ““I’m not sure what the fans want. I think they probably would have preferred Ancelotti, someone a bit more fashionable”Ugo Ehiogu

    “Generally speaking though I think he’s a top choice.

    “I’m not sure what the fans want. I think they probably would have preferred Ancelotti, someone a bit more fashionable.

    “Maybe his [McClaren’s] stint as England manager has soured a few Villa fans’ memories, as a team coach though he was very, very good. Certainly the players will like him.

    “I think it’s going to be a fairly big job for someone with Ashley Young probably going and Stewart Downing likely to go.

    “With all the other players they have lost there’s a big gap.

    “There’s probably going to be six months to season of adjusting which means the results won’t be great and the it’s not going to be the position where the fans want to be.”

[TheSandman]

I don't really see what Ugo is saying that is wrong. He's defending a manager who he enjoyed working for and he thinks did a decent job.

There is no way McClaren would be quite as bad as some make out. I just feel he's not the best appointment possible. My problems with him lie not with his abilities as a coach but with his image and how some fans absolutely won't take to him, putting him on the back foot from the off. Don't get me wrong he is pretty much rock bottom of my order of preference but he's not actually THAT bad.

[holtepaul]

I said a week ago - and got laughed out of town for it - and it is now being rumoured on the radio.

Do not rule out someone from Northern Ireland being our next manager - stranger things have happened.

I said then, and I'll say it again -

2 weeks ago all reports from in and outside club was Houllier was staying - even talk of sorting pre-season

10 days ago, it was said, no decision on GH's future would be made until after court case

about 8 days ago - a "mutual agreement" was made between Lerner and O'Neill

7 days ago - GH quits , resigns , sacked - whatever it was.

I am not saying I want it (and with those who are now available like Ancelotti, Rikyaard, Van Gaal and others - I think we can now get much better)

But put it this way - I reckon there is more chance of MON returning than Steve McLaren coming

[luke25]

I said a week ago - and got laughed out of town for it - and it is now being rumoured on the radio.

Do not rule out someone from Northern Ireland being our next manager - stranger things have happened.

I said then, and I'll say it again -

2 weeks ago all reports from in and outside club was Houllier was staying - even talk of sorting pre-season

10 days ago, it was said, no decision on GH's future would be made until after court case

about 8 days ago - a "mutual agreement" was made between Lerner and O'Neill

7 days ago - GH quits , resigns , sacked - whatever it was.

I am not saying I want it (and with those who are now available like Ancelotti, Rikyaard, Van Gaal and others - I think we can now get much better)

But put it this way - I reckon there is more chance of MON returning than Steve McLaren coming

It won't happen and your an idiot for suggesting it.

[pauliewalnuts]

I said a week ago - and got laughed out of town for it - and it is now being rumoured on the radio.

To be honest, most people will (rightly) laugh you out of town for it again.

Just because TalkShite are reporting it means bugger all.

[TheSandman]

There is more chance in me having a threesome with Megan Fox and Scarlett Johanson than O'Neill coming back.

Indeed I'm sure tawkSpowrte have rumoured the above happening as well as the comeback of the quitter.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think things went a bit mad at Barca when he found out Ronaldinho was shagging his daughter.

[Concrete John]

Just because TalkShite are reporting it means bugger all.

On the contrary, it means it's made up bullshit and about as likely to happen as the next X-Factor winning actually being any good.

[maidstonevillain]

I said a week ago - and got laughed out of town for it - and it is now being rumoured on the radio.

Do not rule out someone from Northern Ireland being our next manager - stranger things have happened.

I said then, and I'll say it again -

2 weeks ago all reports from in and outside club was Houllier was staying - even talk of sorting pre-season

10 days ago, it was said, no decision on GH's future would be made until after court case

about 8 days ago - a "mutual agreement" was made between Lerner and O'Neill

7 days ago - GH quits , resigns , sacked - whatever it was.

I am not saying I want it (and with those who are now available like Ancelotti, Rikyaard, Van Gaal and others - I think we can now get much better)

But put it this way - I reckon there is more chance of MON returning than Steve McLaren coming

How about GH director of football, and MON team coach. In theory it should work well.

[holtepaul]

Maybe he wont - but as I said, stranger things have happened in football.

Personally, and if you look back I have said since the start , my preferences were Ancelotti, Moyes, Benitez and riykaard - I'll be surprised if it isn't one of those 4 - and if Carlo is definately a no-no - would favour Rafa now over Moyes.

But as I said - I am not gonna have a go at an ex-manager - coz who knows !.

By the way, I keep hearing ex-Boro players coming out in favour of McLaren.

If life was so good up there with him in charge, why can I remember a fan running on the pitch and throwing his season ticket in his face.

Maybe, again, my memory could be playing tricks here, these players may have their memories of the whopping great wages Boro and McLaren were paying them (and yet another reason why I think RL wouldnt even consider him !)

[Neil Hawkes]

This interview with Benitez from The Sunday Times a few weeks back is worth a read: http://trunc.it/fymme

Grumble, grumble...............maybe Benitez wouldn't be so bad................grumble, grumble