AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[Ozzjim]

If I were a betting man now, then I would be putting up a decent amount that the board will stick their heads in the sand and hope it blows away.

[Jimbo]

McLeish is more delusional than 'Comical Ali' if he thinks that the fans are still on his side.

Comical Alex. Although it's far from funny now.

The problem is, the only people stupid enough to keep him will be the people stupid enough to hire him in the first place.

[TheSandman]

Going into next season under McLeish simply doesn't bear thinking about it.

[The Situation]

[Eigentor]

My guess is that something like this will happen:

• After the end of the season, the board spend two weeks or so 'assessing' the situation.
• At the end of the two weeks or so, Mat Kendrick tweets that McLeish is leaving.
• The club then spends about a week negotiating McLeish's departure.
• After the manager's departure is officially announced, the board goes all out to get one of Lambert or Rodgers as the next manager.
• To avoid last season's protracted search, they'll give the job to KMac if they can't get Lambert or Rodgers. (With the added bonus of having to spend less on managers and perhaps more on players.)

My guess is that if that happens, we'll be nailed on for relegation.

Again, my (wild) guess is that we'll only go for KMac if neither Lambert nor Rodgers will come. I think there is a decent chance that at least one of them will be interested.

My guess (almost certain to be wrong) is just based on the feeling that the board will try to make a more predictable move this time around after two left-field (and unsuccessful) appointments.

[Ozzjim]

Alex McLeish watched Villa all but clinch Barclays Premier League safety following their draw against Tottenham and admitted: "It's been as tough a season as I've had in football."

Villa just need to avoid an incredible goal difference swing on the final day at Norwich to guarantee top-flight football again in 2012-13.

McLeish was understandably relieved to have led the claret and blues to the cusp of the finishing line.

The manager hailed his players for showing determination and desire to earn the point against the Champions League-chasing aristocrats from the capital.

But he revealed he would be assessing the squad after the season end and putting a plan in place for next term.

He said: "Relief is probably the emotion I have right now. Saying that we have another game and we have to prepare properly and try to win.

"We conceded a soft penalty in this one and then lost a wee bit of composure and they looked threatening.

"But we held our nerve and concentrated fully until the end of the game. I thought the determination and attitude of the players was fantastic.

"They coped great and showed a lot of bottle. I am not looking for players who can't handle the pressure. We need players here who can go in front of the crowd and express themselves.

"Overall, it's been a tough season, as tough as I've had. I knew the challenge I was taking on. But going through it is always different from what people tell you. You have to experience it.

"I have stood up in the face of adversity all season. I am proud to be intact and not thrown myself off a bridge or something.

"Certainly when I assessed the squad at the start of the season I thought there was a possibility of being in the lower half of the table. Despite the name Aston Villa, it comes down to depth, strength of squad and quality.

"I thought we might have problems of our own. I knew we had a young back-up squad. Many of the young lads weren't really ready but hopefully it will stand them in good stead in terms of fighting to get in the squad next season.

"I would certainly look to strengthen the squad for next season.

"Assessment for next season has been ongoing. We've been assessing it every single week. We've got to start putting a plan of action in place.

"If I can go through that, I will have to have a crack at the big time and try and enhance the quality of the squad.

"I have taken a lot of weight on my shoulders this season. I was happy to take pressure off the players. I am not going to again next season though. They better get their fingers out.

"I think Randy will be pretty pleased with today's outcome. He's been very supportive in texts over the last few days which indicates great support for me.

"I'd expect to be here next season and hope to win over the dissenting Villa fans. But I need to get a consistent team on the pitch.

"I think the Villa fans in general have been excellent. I met some nice people at the dinner the other night. I felt the guys were genuine, they knew what I was working with.

"This season we have taken the plunge into the reduction of wages, hopefully helped the finances a little bit. But it has put us through the mill, no doubt about it, but we're planning and we can rise."


From the OS


Be afraid, be very, very afraid. Short of Numan having identified some cracking Dutchmen and Randy opening the chequebook, we are in for another fecking depressing season. I think he will buy quite well, but not have a clue how to use them.

[dicedlam]

I have a horrible feeling that Lerner and Faulkner are hoping that this will all die down once the season is over.

That's how Lerner treats the Browns. Just a big, "eh, they'll get over it in the off season."

That's what I mean.
It goes quiet for awhile, then.. '' we have learned from our mistakes from last season'' and ''the kids have got a wee bit more experience under there belts now''.

*shudders*

[johncvilla88]

The last few weeks I come to realise McCleish is staying guaranteed else he would of been sack and no statement from the club backing him would have been released. Therefore we need to give McCleish time to get his own squad in and I'm hoping for 3/4 great players such as the Berbatov/Siguršsson and give him another chance. If he can't manage to attract this kinda quality i think he needs to go but we need to wait and give him the chance.

[villadelph]

My guess is that something like this will happen:

• After the end of the season, the board spend two weeks or so 'assessing' the situation.
• At the end of the two weeks or so, Mat Kendrick tweets that McLeish is leaving.
• The club then spends about a week negotiating McLeish's departure.
• After the manager's departure is officially announced, the board goes all out to get one of Lambert or Rodgers as the next manager.
• To avoid last season's protracted search, they'll give the job to KMac if they can't get Lambert or Rodgers. (With the added bonus of having to spend less on managers and perhaps more on players.)

My guess is that if that happens, we'll be nailed on for relegation.

Again, my (wild) guess is that we'll only go for KMac if neither Lambert nor Rodgers will come. I think there is a decent chance that at least one of them will be interested.

My guess (almost certain to be wrong) is just based on the feeling that the board will try to make a more predictable move this time around after two left-field (and unsuccessful) appointments.

I don't think Kevin will get the permanent job. We need someone who can revive a club, I think it has to be an outsider at this point. KMac has been at McLeish's left hand all season and I can't remember a single game that would be considered good football. I think turning this thing around might be above Kevin's head. Could he lure in the players? Does he know his opposition well enough?

[curiousorange]

My guess is that something like this will happen:

• After the end of the season, the board spend two weeks or so 'assessing' the situation.
• At the end of the two weeks or so, Mat Kendrick tweets that McLeish is leaving.
• The club then spends about a week negotiating McLeish's departure.
• After the manager's departure is officially announced, the board goes all out to get one of Lambert or Rodgers as the next manager.
• To avoid last season's protracted search, they'll give the job to KMac if they can't get Lambert or Rodgers. (With the added bonus of having to spend less on managers and perhaps more on players.)

My guess is that if that happens, we'll be nailed on for relegation.

Again, my (wild) guess is that we'll only go for KMac if neither Lambert nor Rodgers will come. I think there is a decent chance that at least one of them will be interested.

My guess (almost certain to be wrong) is just based on the feeling that the board will try to make a more predictable move this time around after two left-field (and unsuccessful) appointments.

The first move they ought to make is to appoint somebody to the board who knows something about football.

[villanic]

He should walk away now. This is a high point of his career, actually managing to keep a club in the premier league.

[Eigentor]

The first move they ought to make is to appoint somebody to the board who knows something about football.

I agree with that, but there's a difference between what I think should happen and what I think will happen.

[curiousorange]

The last few weeks I come to realise McCleish is staying guaranteed else he would of been sack and no statement from the club backing him would have been released. Therefore we need to give McCleish time to get his own squad in and I'm hoping for 3/4 great players such as the Berbatov/Siguršsson and give him another chance. If he can't manage to attract this kinda quality i think he needs to go but we need to wait and give him the chance.

He could theoretically attract Leo Messi, but he'd still probably struggle the get the guy to score more than single figures. He's had thirty-seven games in the league and been clueless for probably thirty-six of them. He's had his chance, it's time to go.

[TheSandman]

Alex McLeish earlier this evening...

[PaulWinch again]

I've said several times, he must go absolutely no doubt about it. If he doesn't crowds are going to disappear and the club is in for hell.