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

[Phil from the upper holte]

I think its more likely to be me than Martin O neill

[eastie]

Forget moyes- he's not interested and I want someone desperate to manage Aston villa - rafa , Hughes or rikjaard in that order.

[pauliewalnuts]

As soon as Houllier became ill do you not think that the board contemplated the idea that we might be in need of a new manager?  Or, are people of the opinion that they just hoped he'd make a full recovery as they didn't no where to start looking for a replacement? 

This interviewing that is supposedly taking place is just a smoke screen.  I think they have their man already and as Fletch has intimated it will be a surprise to us all.  That's where my money has gone anyway.

Some very good points there, Bren.

I think you may be dead on with the thing about the interviewing being a smoke screen.

There are a few things that point to this.  Look at how they got rid of Houllier. They give him 25 plus million in January, he falls ill, results pick up, we finish in a decent position, he gets a pretty clean bill of health, and despite all that, we can't get rid of him quick enough when the season ends.

Not only that, we get rid of him with him pretty keen to stay, and despite the fact that it costs us a large amount of money coming mere days after we pay another ex manager a large amount of money.

Having done all that, Randy them doesn't come over here until a week later, which maybe suggests an element of relaxation about the whole situation.

I honestly think they've got the new bloke sewn up, and have had for a while. I also think you're right and the appointment could be entirely out of left field, and Klinsmann is a good shout, but given the timing, given the fact he's been blatantly pimping himself for the job in the press, and given the fact he's due back off his holidays about now, I reckon Benitez is the more likely appointment.

[fbriai]

why isnt Moyes in the list? Has he been ruled out?

He ruled himself out pretty conclusively last week.

Do you know of an article including his quotes, Paulie? I was on holiday last week and completely offline, but I've since been trawling the sports pages looking for a related article and can't find anything, other than what he said when Houllier was still in charge, or are those the quotes to which you are referring? Cheers.

[ozzjim]

His agent would not comment on links with Villa according to the express and star.

[Concrete John]

As soon as Houllier became ill do you not think that the board contemplated the idea that we might be in need of a new manager?  Or, are people of the opinion that they just hoped he'd make a full recovery as they didn't no where to start looking for a replacement? 

This interviewing that is supposedly taking place is just a smoke screen.  I think they have their man already and as Fletch has intimated it will be a surprise to us all.  That's where my money has gone anyway.

I think they probably started the thought process then, but nothing formal would or should have been done.  So our first actual contact with an agent/manager would only have come after Houllier officially left, which was a week ago today. 

That could well be the case were they in for somebody already in a managerial position.  It's a little bit different if their man isn't....an informal chat of sorts to sound out a candidate who might be interested. 

Can't see Randy sounding out anyone, presently employed or not, while Gezza was still in the job.

[dave.woodhall]

Last week I spoke to a 'source' on Merseyside who said Moyes is a lot happier at Everton than is generally reckoned and it would take a big opportunity for him to move. This week I spoke to a similar source in Bolton who hadn't heard anything about Coyle and thought him unlikely.

[ROBBO]

Surely Everton would have had to be asked to allow us to talk to Moyes and someone from there would have let the cat out of the bag. Said sometime ago it will suprise everyone when the announcement comes, done and dusted, but who is it? we should start a list of unlikely candidates, bound to be one of them.

[ozzjim]

Which leaves Hughes, who for all the denials is still plausible, Benitez who on paper looks the outstanding candidate or someone like Curbishley. I would have thought Coyle would jump at the opportunity though, Moyes I thought couldbe convinced if Randy could get past Kenwright, but seems unlikely.

[PaulTheVillan]

why isnt Moyes in the list? Has he been ruled out?

He ruled himself out pretty conclusively last week.

Do you know of an article including his quotes, Paulie? I was on holiday last week and completely offline, but I've since been trawling the sports pages looking for a related article and can't find anything, other than what he said when Houllier was still in charge, or are those the quotes to which you are referring? Cheers.

There was something from 21st May. Before GH left.

[Outcast2006]

I do not buy into the notion that the board have already sewn up who they want and in fact have him already.  If that were the case ,  and knowing that the board appraently do not want another season like last,  in order to give the new bloke enough time to prepare us he would be in place already,  especially if currently unemployed

[Irreverent ad]

Last week I spoke to a 'source' on Merseyside who said Moyes is a lot happier at Everton than is generally reckoned and it would take a big opportunity for him to move. This week I spoke to a similar source in Bolton who hadn't heard anything about Coyle and thought him unlikely.

Coyle is fiercley ambitious. He wants to go as far in the game as he can as quickly as possible. The Bolton fans up here seem certain that if Villa go for Coyle he will leave Bolton without a second thought.

[JJ-AV]

I reckon it'll be Rafa, and I reckon it'll be known by the end of the week.

Just a hunch.

[Outcast2006]

I have wanted Coyle right from the get go to be honest but as he seemed unlikely I favoured others.  If it is Coyle I will be utterly delighted

[AntJac]

For what its worth, Morley is reporting via Twitter that we are close to appointing Mark Hughes