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

[DR PETERS]

I don't get all this "we must have free flowing football and we wont get it with McLeish." That might be the case but you wouldn't get it with Mourinho either but we would jump at appointing him ! Ask Arsenal fans if they would swap their style of play during the last 6 years for trophies, I am pretty sure they answer would be yes.
The reason I don't want McLeish is nothing to do with the type of football we might play or that he has managed at the sty, its the fact that I don't think he is very good and we should be aiming higher.
To be honest if we're not getting Carlo or Rafa or someone of that ilk then the rest are all pretty much the same. Hughes has won nothing, Coyle is in the same bracket as Paul Jewell when he had one good season with Wigan, Moyes doesn't play free flowing football and hasn't won anything. The board talk about the manager requiring premiership experience but if we want to be playing in the champions league shouldn't we be looking for a manager with champions league experience to take us the next step ?
Once we start at this level of manager they are all much of a muchness. I will support the club because its in my blood but if McLeish does get the job then he will be under more pressure than any previous Villa manager - wonder if he is up to it ?

[robbo1874]

Krulak said: "The uproar over McLeish is uncalled for.

"He has proved he can manage in the big leagues - just imagine what he could do if he was with an owner who supported him."


Will he be backed financially though, or will he just be brought in because he's likely to be able to do an alright job with limited finaces? i.e cement 8th - 12th every season.

Thought about it a fair bit the last few days and still don't like the idea of this at all. I suppose all we can do though really, is just see what happens.

I'm in Oz now, so can't go to games anyway, but it will be interesting to see how this affects our early season crowds. I'd probably still go if I could, but won't be surprised if people stay away.

Its a huge gamble for the club if he is appointed. 

[Brazilian Villain]

Just back from a weekend in Miami and haven't the will to read the latest 100+ pages. Not out to "convince "anyone just giving my $0.02.

Was very successful at Rangers and for a short time with the Scottish national team. Goes to small heath too late to save them from relegation in his first season. Gets promotion at the first attempt and they then finish 9th in the premier league. Wins a trophy the next year and then loses key players through injury and gets relegated again. From day 1 he inherited a shit team with no real money to change things overnight so takes the pragmatic route and makes them difficult to beat, ( for a while). I'm pretty sure that if he had the players to get it down and pass it, that's what he would do. Why is he perceived as being such an awful manager when he's already won a heap of trophies yet people would piss their pants with excitement at the prospect of Moyes taking over who has so far won jack shit with a team who dont exactly play free flowing , beautiful football? I couldnt give a toss whether he's managed the filth or not, if he's appointed then he's the Aston Villa manager, he will need our support and has just as much chance of being succesful as any of the other names that have been bandied about. If you think standing on the North Stand car park shouting at empty offices and fuelling more negative publicity will help then good luck.

Agree with most of that except the bit about Moyes (but I take your point) who I feel like Eck could do a decent job with the right resources. 

A year ago I'd have preferred him to Ged as a manager. The subsequent relegation and dour football have tainted his reputation a bit but as you say injuries and resources may well have been a factor. And if you can win a trophy with the Blues who knows what you can do at Villa? I say that about a guy who has managed two of the clubs I hate most i.e. Rangers and Blues. Having said that I've always quite liked him. Also he's never come across as anti-Villa as say Bruce when he was at the Sty. If he's the choice I'll support him like I do every manager and player in claret and blue at B6.

Just a personal story. I currently live in the Caribbean and a couple of years ago McCleish was on holiday here at the same time as Big Sam. There were some FIFA fundraisers in aid of local grassroots football. McCleish spoke at the main dinner and donated some Blues items for the raffle (admittedly they didn't raise much). Big Sam didn't want to know.  I didn't meet him but a couple of good friends of mine had dinner with him. They've kept in contact and met up with him in South Africa during the WC. In short he seems a decent guy so it's sad to see people reacting as if he's the anti-Christ or Marlon King.

Overall then I can understand why some here have their reservations as indeed people have had about pretty much every name mentioned in the past week or so (God it seems like an eternity).  He's not my first choice but my preferred choices aren't interested in coming to VP. However the level of vitriol aimed towards him both on a personal and professional level (and at the Board) has been completely over the top and embarrassing. If nothing else it is feeding the media frenzy and in danger of making us a laughing stock.

The only positive I can see from the overreaction to this from the usual attack dogs is that if he is appointed then Randy will back him with substantial cash to prove he was right to appoint him.

[brian green]

Why is it all the luke warm fans who describe those of us who want the best for Villa as "attack dogs" live furthest away?

[usav]

I don't get all this "we must have free flowing football and we wont get it with McLeish." That might be the case but you wouldn't get it with Mourinho either but we would jump at appointing him ! Ask Arsenal fans if they would swap their style of play during the last 6 years for trophies, I am pretty sure they answer would be yes.
The reason I don't want McLeish is nothing to do with the type of football we might play or that he has managed at the sty, its the fact that I don't think he is very good and we should be aiming higher.
To be honest if we're not getting Carlo or Rafa or someone of that ilk then the rest are all pretty much the same. Hughes has won nothing, Coyle is in the same bracket as Paul Jewell when he had one good season with Wigan, Moyes doesn't play free flowing football and hasn't won anything. The board talk about the manager requiring premiership experience but if we want to be playing in the champions league shouldn't we be looking for a manager with champions league experience to take us the next step ?
Once we start at this level of manager they are all much of a muchness. I will support the club because its in my blood but if McLeish does get the job then he will be under more pressure than any previous Villa manager - wonder if he is up to it ?

I pretty much agree with this.

[ROBBO]

I'm afraid General Chuck has little or no football experience so what makes him an expert on football managers, same goes for all the Villa board. They have had decent managers looking for a position and they come up with him as their preffered option, Houllier had his detractors but a fair amout of support as well and boy did he suffer when the fans turned on him, this guy will have virtually zero support from day one. I think the club underestimate how much revenue they are going to lose over this, fans will walk away disappointed  once more.

[willywombat]

Why is it all the luke warm fans who describe those of us who want the best for Villa as "attack dogs" live furthest away?

Luke warm?? I dont need to justify my Villa supporting credentials to you or anyone else bud. I also want the best for Aston Villa which doesn't necessarily mean I have to agree with you.

[DR PETERS]

Why is it all the luke warm fans who describe those of us who want the best for Villa as "attack dogs" live furthest away?

What does it matter where I live, just because I am the other side of the World does that mean my opinion doesn't count ?
I was a season ticket holder for 25 years before I moved to Australia so I think I have seen enough of Aston Villa to be able to pass comment and would not describe myself as luke warm. I too want the best for the club, I don't think giving the current owner this amount of grief is best for the club. Maybe being so far away and detached from the local press allows us to see things slightly differently
If Randy is a stubborn man, and he may be, he might be thinking that he has nothing to lose after all this grief, if he appoints McLeish and its a failure the fans will say I told you so, if its a success then Randy will be a hero for making the appointment.
If he listens to the fans and appoints someone else and it all goes wrong he will be blamed for not trusting his own instincts.

[Brazilian Villain]

How's the weather in Brum atm? Is it raining and chilly or merely Nice and luke warm [sic]?

[Malandro]

funnay man [sic]

[Californian Villain]

Why is it all the luke warm fans who describe those of us who want the best for Villa as "attack dogs" live furthest away?

What does it matter where I live, just because I am the other side of the World does that mean my opinion doesn't count ? ...........

Of course it doesn't matter where you live, that's what's so great about the internet/message boards etc; I think the general attitude on here (and other Villa forums) though, is that the views of non-regular attendees are of lesser importance. Reasons usually cited are that those of us overseas "made a choice to leave" or are not "as committed to the club" blah blah....I usually ignore it.

[nick harper]

:DTAKE A HIKE
ASTON VILLA director Charles Krulak has told the club's fans to butt out of the appointment of a new manager.
 
The American reacted to the flood of anti-Alex McLeish messages to the club.
 
Krulak said: "The uproar over McLeish is uncalled for.

"He has proved he can manage in the big leagues - just imagine what he could do if he was with an owner who supported him."
 
In a message to Villa fans, he said: "You cling to the fact he's seen his lads relegated twice. Well, the first time he was not with the club long enough to make a difference. Secondly, look at the owners he's worked for and support of him monetarily.
 
"Then look at our owner Randy Lerner and what he provides to his managers
well know were i am not wanted
right were to park on match days at walsall

I'm not sure where that quote has come from but has General Krulak really said that. If so, talk about stoking it up with the neighbours.

I'm still clinging to the hope that McLeish is still only an option and a smokescreen and that there are one or two other possibilities in the frame, neither of whom are particularly inspiring but will be greeted as if they were a Shankly compared to what we might have.

[Ross]

I've missed a lot of the last day or so.  Could someone enlighten me whether the protest and general unhappiness is motivated by:

a) AM previous role as SHA manager; or
b) Nobody thinks he is a good choice based on ability

If its b) I have more sympathy, I certainly hoped for a more attractive candidate to lift the profile of the club.  If it's a) though, I don't really get it.  He's left them now, and of all the recent SHA managers, I can't remember any being less offensive.  He always seemed to conduct himself very well and avoided aiming insults at Villa unlike Bruce.  Unless I have missed something?  If it is just because of his previous Blues connection then I just don't get it!

[itbrvilla]

I've missed a lot of the last day or so.  Could someone enlighten me whether the protest and general unhappiness is motivated by:

a) AM previous role as SHA manager; or
b) Nobody thinks he is a good choice based on ability

If its b) I have more sympathy, I certainly hoped for a more attractive candidate to lift the profile of the club.  If it's a) though, I don't really get it.  He's left them now, and of all the recent SHA managers, I can't remember any being less offensive.  He always seemed to conduct himself very well and avoided aiming insults at Villa unlike Bruce.  Unless I have missed something?  If it is just because of his previous Blues connection then I just don't get it!

It's definitely B with regards the fans but the club think its A.

[pauliewalnuts]

Krulak said: "The uproar over McLeish is uncalled for.

"He has proved he can manage in the big leagues - just imagine what he could do if he was with an owner who supported him."
. 

That's the point that scares me - he hasn't.

He got relegated twice. What the fuck does that prove about his ability?

I'll bet they gone and asked Ferguson for advice - naively, as if another manager is going to give you impartial advice - and he has bigged up his former captain. The board have then gone all swoony and swallowed it, hook, line and sinker.

As for what he could do with money, he spent plenty at Blues and bought a fair amount of dross.

Their statement says nothing about proven success, I note. If that doesn't say it all, then I don't know what does.

Having made that pointless statement yesterday (another bollocks up in a farcical process) they have now painted themselves into a corner, whereby if he doesn't get it, the world will know we've rejected him.

At a time when what the club desperately needed was to get over the disappointment of last season, regroup and try to bounce back to where we previously were, they've made the worst appointment they possibly could. We look like we are becoming the new Newcastle, frankly. What a mess.