Randy Lerner - Discuss

[Jon Crofts]

I fully understand the need for stability, the de-stabilising effect of MON's last minute departure was felt for much of the last season.  I cannot however fathom the decision to appoint McLeish, it defies belief.  Just what went through his head when he decided, McLeish is the man for the job, he relegated Small Heath twice in 3 seasons, he'll bring stability & Sir Alex thinks he's a good bloke.
I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Randy told Doug he was after McLeish, I bet old Doug smiled a knowing smile & thought you just signed your own death warrant Randy.

[Concrete John]

What confuses me is doing it and then not backing him in the market.  It was blindingly obvious that it would take a lot for him to win some supporters over, yet he was expected do that on a relative shoestring?

[London Villan]

Or perhaps it is a masterplan to deflect criticism from Randy while he brings the wage bill down?

[pauliewalnuts]

What confuses me is doing it and then not backing him in the market.  It was blindingly obvious that it would take a lot for him to win some supporters over, yet he was expected do that on a relative shoestring?

That's true enough.

McLeish is a manager of proven low quality, and I understand him taking the job (3m a year?), but he was on to a loser from the start.

This is an appointment which was never, ever going to work out.

What frightens me is something someone said to me yesterday - the though that actually, Randy and co don't even realise how badly the situation is going.

[TonyD]

What confuses me is doing it and then not backing him in the market.  It was blindingly obvious that it would take a lot for him to win some supporters over, yet he was expected do that on a relative shoestring?

That's true enough.

McLeish is a manager of proven low quality, and I understand him taking the job (3m a year?), but he was on to a loser from the start.

This is an appointment which was never, ever going to work out.

What frightens me is something someone said to me yesterday - the though that actually, Randy and co don't even realise how badly the situation is going.

You are probably right.  To a non soccer man the table looks half decent.   

[Stu]

What confuses me is doing it and then not backing him in the market.  It was blindingly obvious that it would take a lot for him to win some supporters over, yet he was expected do that on a relative shoestring?

That's true enough.

McLeish is a manager of proven low quality, and I understand him taking the job (3m a year?), but he was on to a loser from the start.

This is an appointment which was never, ever going to work out.

What frightens me is something someone said to me yesterday - the though that actually, Randy and co don't even realise how badly the situation is going.

I don't think they do to be honest. If we get spanked by Arsenal without showing any fight then Lerner or Faulkner are going to have to start justifying their decision to appoint McLeish and stop spending. A recipe for relegation right there, if not this season then next if the same policies are in place. I'd love to know their thought processes on the appointment too, it makes just as little sense now as it did in the summer.

If Randy isn't going to be a 'hands-on' owner, then he really ought to have a CEO with a lot of experience helping the manager handle transfers and such. Faulkner knows fuck all about football and the appointment of McLeish shows it. Jumping from Martinez to McLeish when they play two different styles of football was an eye-opener, perhaps he isn't aware that football can be played in different styles and that managers have their individual methods? That's the only conclusion I can come to when looking at the situation. Are we actually paying Jenas's wages btw? If so, then that's another total fuck up.

[brontebilly]

Signing Stephen Ireland without a manager another beaut.

65k a week he is getting.

Randy Lerner doesnt give a fuck about AVFC anymore.

[andyh]

What other leader of a huge company would put someone in charge that so alienates a huge proportion of their customer (supporter) base ?

[preston28]

Mr. Lerner is an oddball owner. Compare Villa to the NFL - his Cleveland Browns have a history of periennial underperformance, a succession of poor appointments at head coach, poor draft record and now he has appointed as Chief Exec who is an ageing ex -NFL head coach (who has won the superbowl with the packer)  to oversee things whilst he is away. Oh and the fans do not like their owner much either.
So what has happened to the Browns is happening at VP except the fans I guess still haven't turned against him in the majority. I really can't see what plan Mr. Lerner has for the Villa now  - he is currently 'fiddling whilst Villa Park burns'.............

[cdward]

Getting spanked by Arsenal will not change anything. Randy has decided to not chase the CL, and is happy for us to be mid table. We are exactly on target. Getting beaten by those above us has been accepted before a ball is kicked.
That letter stating our ambitions to be in the Deloitte top 20 sums it up.
Nothing will change as long as we are not relegated.

[not3bad]

I cannot however fathom the decision to appoint McLeish, it defies belief.  Just what went through his head when he decided, McLeish is the man for the job, he relegated Small Heath twice in 3 seasons, he'll bring stability & Sir Alex thinks he's a good bloke.

Randy's made it pretty clear in his interview that the point about Sir Alex thinking Mcleish is a good bloke was probably foremost in his thinking.  He's got a letter from Sir Alex you know.

[shortboy_uk]

Mr. Lerner is an oddball owner. Compare Villa to the NFL - his Cleveland Browns have a history of periennial underperformance, a succession of poor appointments at head coach, poor draft record and now he has appointed as Chief Exec who is an ageing ex -NFL head coach (who has won the superbowl with the packer)  to oversee things whilst he is away. Oh and the fans do not like their owner much either.
So what has happened to the Browns is happening at VP except the fans I guess still haven't turned against him in the majority. I really can't see what plan Mr. Lerner has for the Villa now  - he is currently 'fiddling whilst Villa Park burns'.............

Got to agree, and I quotes from a Browns forum, " Lerner is an idiot who is clearly in over his head from a hiring perspective"

Their experience of Lerner is remarkably similar to ours, rarely at games, doesn't engage with fans, strange appointments etc.

Makes scary reading.

[Mazrim]

If the aim is to be in some financial top20 then it will fail miserably. A football club nobody wants to watch is not a recipe for big business.

Fucking idiots.

[JUAN PABLO]

arsenal and Chelsea spank Villa.

Lerner gives AMC money to spend .

Both horrible thoughts .

[caster troy]

Someone has probably done this already but...

Randy

I remember my early life
The Doug Ellis years, protest nights
A shadow of a club
Surviving on memories…
Half empty stands…
And David O’Leary…

Saturday, another England game
Milner, Young and Barry set to play
Looking in their eyes
I see a memory
I never realized
How happy you made me, oh Randy

Well you came and you gave without taking
Then you brought in McLeish, oh Randy
You ignored us, oh what were you thinking
Now we need you to change it Randy

We’re afraid of the clubs relegation
We need help without hesitation
In a battle to survive
The tears are in our eyes
Our bright future is fading, oh Randy

Well you came and you gave without taking
Then you gave us McLeish, oh Randy
You ignored us, oh what were you thinking
Now we need you to change it Randy

Yesterday's a dream
Can’t face work in the morning
Our team has no desire
And our play is so boring, oh Randy

Well you came and you gave without taking
Then you gave us McLeish, oh Randy
You ignored us, oh what were you thinking
Now we need you to change it Randy