Official - Houllier leaves by mutual consent (p.28)

[TonyD]

Does that mean GMac has gone too?

[Mister E]

Well, bye Gerard. Best wishes for the future.

SkyBet showing the following as top bets:
Hughes (1/1), Benitez (11/8), Moyes (3/1), McClaren (7/1), Ancelotti (10/1), Jol (14/1), Allardyce (14/1), Macdonald (16/1), Zola (20/1)

No to Hughes, Benitez, Allardyce, Zola or sadly Kevin Mac from me.
My top choice would be Moyes, although Ancelotti or Jol wouldn't be bad news. Martinez as an outsider.

Haven't Fulham recently been awarded a Europa League  place? - would that not help Hughes to decide to stay, I wonder?
I suspect it'll be between the FSW and McLaren; dreams of GHou plus exciting young up-and-coming manager are receding.

[cdbearsfan]

Well if Ancelotti was willing to manage West Ham surely he'd be worth approaching. Ok, we're not a London club but I doubt Mrs Ancelotti would fail to be enticed by the delights of the Bull Ring. The only problem is, like most Italians, he has a massive chip on his shoulder about Birmingham's canal network.

[Irish villain]

This was the right decision for everyone concerned. Next season doesn't have to be one of transition, the new man will have time to get players in and ship players out. A big name could convince jittery players to stay.

Go get Moyes, Jol or Ancelotti. Make our first signing NRC....

[pauliewalnuts]

If Ancelotti wouid consider West Ham, then surely he'd consider us?

I'm aware of the fact West Ham is in London, but then again, he could be our manager and live pretty close to London in any case.

I can't help thinking, though, that the fact Rafa Benitez turned down Atletico Madrid yesterday and reiterated he wants to stay in England has some bearing on our position.

[andyh]

The training facilities at Villa were given the twice over a couple of weeks back and were unexpectedly viewed more recently by someone who raised a few eyebrows.

Oh come on Jack, you can't keep us hanging like that...spill the beans.

Mind you......raised a few eyebrows.....someone is famous for that !

[Shrek]

I'm confused, Talksport are saying Aston Villa are denying reports in the midlands that houllier has gone.

[Toronto Villa]

I'd like Ancelotti, but you can't make someone manage your club against their will no matter how many millions you might offer them.

I have a sneaky suspiscion he'll end up at QPR

[cdbearsfan]

I'm confused, Talksport are saying Aston Villa are denying reports in the midlands that houllier has gone.

That's because he hasn't gone yet. He's still packing and is wondering where he left his spare Pires. Nobody has the heart to tell him that Dogtanian was released last week.

[PaulTheVillan]

Hughes has done a good job everywhere he's been IMO.
Ancelotti would be brilliant.
I'd be happy with Moyes.

[Summers]

Well Houllier hasn't gone yet. The "exclusive" is that he will be leaving. So the club can say he hasn't gone, because as yet - he hasn't.

[Irish villain]

I'm confused, Talksport are saying Aston Villa are denying reports in the midlands that houllier has gone.

I hope this doesn't turn out to be a bloody 'is he? isn't he?' type saga that drags on. I can't take any more of those.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

I think Ancellotti will wait for the Spurs job which will come available if not this summer, then certainly next.

He'll want to stay in London IMO.

[TheEgo]

Club have also apparently said reports are "premature" thats a million miles away from wrong. I get the feeling the club have known for a while but wanted to keep it under wraps until a new man has signed on the dotted line. Personally think Benitez is nailed on, if not then Hughes. Would prefer Benitez over Hughes though.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

I'm confused, Talksport are saying Aston Villa are denying reports in the midlands that houllier has gone.

Talksport revealed last week that McLaren will be the new West ham manager, the day before he turned it down.

Their credibility is zero.