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

[villapark1982]

Right was McLeish on Villa's SHORTLIST before the season ended? If so, this is utter lunacy. Imagine for a 2nd that Birmingham stayed up and we still had him in our thoughts back then?? Crazy. Imagine the uproar that would have caused. Madness.

Or did we suddenly decide he was the best candidate for the job once Birmingham got relegated? They took the relegation aspect out of it; and focused solely on them winning a trophy.? I am trying to come up with a logical answer to when this was decided.?

Are the press right and he was never on our shortlist, and we have just panicked into a ridiculous appointment of someone who FITS the APPARENT criteria for the post as noone else wants it? Have our owners gone completely mad. Seriously?

I am struggling to digest this. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

[garyshawsknee]

The club statement mentions "proven Premier League experience". Getting a side relegated twice in 3 years and scoring 37 goals in 38 games is indeed Premier League experience.  Experience of persistent failure at this level. And they're still going to interview him!? My gob is well and truly smacked. 

I thought Randy was better than this. I was wrong

My first thought,he's not a proven prem manager,until sunday he was a championship manager. The stick GH got will be nothing compared to whats gonna come McCleish way. The sad thing is the board will dig in the heels with him,next season will make the last one look like a golden age. Absolutely gutted and stunned.

[villa1]

I don't want him and I don't like it.

However, i'm not going going to resort to the name calling that some on here have. Calling Randy a 'pillock' after all he's done for the club is pathetic, no matter how ridiculous this decision may turn out to be.

[berneboy]

If he is appointed, as seems likely, then he will be our manager and I will support him and my team completely.

I will give him time to prove himself at the most wonderful club in the land before making any judgement.

[Arsey]

This is a message to the fans of Aston Villa.

The Club has been reluctant to elaborate publicly on our search for a new manager and, in particular, to confirm or deny our interest in specific candidates.

This is not a new policy, indeed it is the approach that we have taken both in regard to managerial prospects, and potential player signings.

The Club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent. We therefore intend to interview him imminently in order to make a decision regarding his candidacy to become Villa manager.


From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa as we know that without a shared vision any appointment, however attractive, will ultimately fail.

Since 2006 we have approached our custodianship of Villa based on a broad-based strategy of significant investment to improve the squad, the training ground and Villa Park. We feel it is essential to select a manager who understands and supports our strategy for the Club to grow and to be sustainable. Otherwise, the natural tensions and competitive pressures that are involved with every season will ultimately cause instability and make continuity impossible.

We would, however, like to emphasise that in deciding to interview Alex McLeish, the Board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously.

We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager.

Where's that idiot Pelty?  I'd like to see him come out and defend this utter lunacy.

It's not the fact that he spent three and half years at Blues.  It's the fact that in that time, they played shit football, wasted money on shit players and got relegated twice.  How on earth does that make him the best candidate for the job?  All it makes him is the best candidate for Randy Lerner: out of work and cheap.

I can not believe I am trying to defend him but in the LMA statement regarding his constructive dismissal/resignation, one of the main reasons he claims to have resigned from Blues is his lack of control of player transfers.  Players he requested were not signed, players he didn't want were, i.e. King, most recently.

[JUAN PABLO]

Anyone who protests is just hurting Aston villa and making our club look a joke - let's get behind the team and give him a chance please?

did you see the style of football he played ?

[Gerrin]

The interviews with the blues fans were insightful, of 4 interviewed 3 think he will take us down and the other said he played dire football......  oh we are soo lucky

Did you see the f-uckin state of them though, especialy the last one.

[ez]

This means the club believe McLeish might be the best we can get!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

"Otherwise, the natural tensions and competitive pressures that are involved with every season will ultimately cause instability and make continuity impossible"

Well they have just added to the instability and tensions. Well fucking done. Im furious and whilst not going to turn my back on supprting the club, there is NO good grace left for me with Lerner and the rest. You can stick your mosiacs, Holte Pub where the sun doesn't shine. It's about FOOTBALL and WINNING. Live by the sword, die by the sword. This will make or break you. Fucking livid

You've just summed it up for a few thousand loyal supporters Ego!

[eric woolban woolban]

At least we'll be able to copy Liverpool's manager chant.

McLeishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[Sir Paul Merson]

i just cannot believe the people that are backing this guy, it will be the biggest cert going that the villa will be relegated next year, we willl start of with one or two good results then nothing but dross, the bluenoses are pissing themselves with laughter, got a reminder for my season ticket through the post today, FAT CHANCE, Randy wanted to fill villa park every game,  25.000 per game is all

[JUAN PABLO]

His brand of football is utter gash...36 goals in the league last season, twice relegated, they can think again if im parting with any of my ££ whilst this clown is in charge....can see plenty of empty seats!

Blues played dire football in the prem these last 2 seasons, Birmingham... that doesn't mean he will be playing the same style at Villa., if he is appointed.

Trying to be positive, he knows how to organise a defence, something we badly need. 

and in that time . bent and downing have fooked off...

[Compass]

Part of me wishes Blues stayed up now. Is that wrong? 

[mr-villa]

We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager.

But Randy its quite simple he is not the best candidate for the job is he?

[SamTheMouse]

McLeish had better win us the fecki,ng Champion's League next season...anything less and he can go and get stretched.

So no pressure then!