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

[The Situation]

I hope he proves us all wrong but I fear the anti-football he'll make us play

[Toronto Villa]

McLeish and the General have not in any way deserved the very personal abuse they've received from some people on here and on other sites. It's completely uncalled for. This is about a football manager. McLeish isn't a child molester or rapist, yet some of the vitriol was incredible. Everyone is entitled to an opinion on who should be manager of our club, something that we are very passionate about. But when it's uncontrolled it's pure aggression, and this isn't a topic that should ever make any of us that upset or angry. I'll only ever get that way when somebody hurts my family or friends. Not about football.

You don't have to like the appointment. I'm not a fan of it. But, I'll give him a chance to have his say, and take on the task of making us successful. He knows what he's walking into, and he'll already have a thick skin having managed one of the Old Firm. I wish him the very best as our manager and hope that we look back on this episode embarrased because it went so well.

[eastie]

I think you are right robbo but pannu will never be able to prove it!

Excellent post Toronto!

[The Laughing Policeman]

It certainly looks like a done deal. And for what it's worth like the rest of you I'm not best pleased. But......
I support Aston Villa Football Club no matter who the owner/chairman/manager is, and that will never change.
The first time I went to Villa Park was as a present for my ninth birthday in 1955 so I've seen my fair share of joy and despair. Dark days of relegation to the third division the steady climb back to the top flight and winning the European Cup and all the ups and downs since that brilliant evening in Rotterdam.
So you can see I've seen a fair few owners/chairmen/managers come and go.And god willing I'll still be here long after our next manager has come and gone. And what is it that keeps me going?
The pride I feel when I see eleven players in Claret And Blue run out onto the pitch at Villa Park.
COME ON YOU VILLA!!

[Mazrim]

McLeish and the General have not in any way deserved the very personal abuse they've received from some people on here and on other sites. It's completely uncalled for. This is about a football manager. McLeish isn't a child molester or rapist, yet some of the vitriol was incredible. Everyone is entitled to an opinion on who should be manager of our club, something that we are very passionate about. But when it's uncontrolled it's pure aggression, and this isn't a topic that should ever make any of us that upset or angry. I'll only ever get that way when somebody hurts my family or friends. Not about football.

You don't have to like the appointment. I'm not a fan of it. But, I'll give him a chance to have his say, and take on the task of making us successful. He knows what he's walking into, and he'll already have a thick skin having managed one of the Old Firm. I wish him the very best as our manager and hope that we look back on this episode embarrased because it went so well.

Well said mate.

[old man villa fan]

Sorry you feel that way omvf but I hope you do return and are pleasantly surprised-the decision is made and I hope we can do good transfer business and stop the infighting and unite behind the new manager and his team- let's pray it turns out well!

I meant to add, the reason for not going is that I would not want to be part of a crowd shouting abuse that would invariably affect the players and thus harm the club.

[eastie]

Good man maz.

[Iago]

McLeish and the General have not in any way deserved the very personal abuse they've received from some people on here and on other sites. It's completely uncalled for. This is about a football manager. McLeish isn't a child molester or rapist, yet some of the vitriol was incredible. Everyone is entitled to an opinion on who should be manager of our club, something that we are very passionate about. But when it's uncontrolled it's pure aggression, and this isn't a topic that should ever make any of us that upset or angry. I'll only ever get that way when somebody hurts my family or friends. Not about football.

You don't have to like the appointment. I'm not a fan of it. But, I'll give him a chance to have his say, and take on the task of making us successful. He knows what he's walking into, and he'll already have a thick skin having managed one of the Old Firm. I wish him the very best as our manager and hope that we look back on this episode embarrased because it went so well.

Totally agreed with you. Look forward to his press conference and his own articulations on the future.

[Doorbell]

I apologise if this has already been discussed as I've missed quite a few pages...

Just been chatting with my stepdad, he's been listening to 5 live all day and he was explaining to me that they have worked out how much it would cost Villa to bring in Eck and his back room staff.  They quoted £20 mill all in for paying off villa staff, compensation to the blue noses and his and his teams salaries etc....AND that it's likely Sid will be pushed out....did any of you hear this too...someone please tell me this ain't true...

[Clampy]

I'm disapointed with who they've chosen, they could have gone for someone a lot better and it feels like we've taken a backward step, but the only way to get the best out of what we've got is to get behind the bloke im suppose. If he brings in the players he could'nt afford down the road (NZogbia, Pavlychenkco etc) then it might work better than we think.

I hope.

[eastie]

Yes I expect him to be very positive in his press conference - he's a confident guy and by all accounts very popular with players.

Agree clampy, pav and nzogbia would be good additions- here's hoping .

[Jockey Randall]

He will be appointed by the looks of it and the fans now have to get behind him and hope there is some smart action in the transfer market carrying some momentum into the new season. For what its worth, I think McLeish is a top bloke and no fool. But I have little confidence in his record in this division.
But the relationship between this board and the fans is gone now. Perhaps beyond repair. The General wont be back after the abuse he's had and I wouldnt blame him and so we'll have no connection at all.

A really sorry state of affairs.

Yep, he is a top bloke, nothing against him at all, but he's just not the manager we wanted....we wanted so much more, and could have made a real statement of intent. But frankly, getting a man who has just been relegated?

Pretty much similar to how I feel. Although I will admit to always having a feeling there is a good manager in there and he's showed he must have balls of steel to take this gig, but yes we really should be doing much much better.

The board have clearly not done their jobs properly and are deserving of all the criticism coming their way at the moment. There are plenty of other managers that wouldn't have created so much negativity right from the outset.

But if Mcleish it is, then I'll give him a chance to prove himself up to the task.

Randy and co on the other hand are on seriously thin ice.

[nick harper]

I will add that our club's history is littered with Scots who have helped to make it the finest and the most important.

If Alex McLeish is confirmed, he has a daunting task and some great men to emulate. I will be there next season and I wish him the best of luck.

[phantom limb]

Perhaps his first press conference will just have him wiping his arse with a Blues flag for ten minutes, just to get off on the right foot with everyone.

[curiousorange]

Do you know, know it's 99.9% done and dusted, I actually feel a lot better about it. I still don't think he's the man we wanted and/or needed, but with someone in place at least we will have a direction. That's not a glowing reference for McLeish but the time for premature bitching is passed. He is now part of the Villa story and that's that, so either follow the club or stay silent.