AVFC statement - McLeish sacked.

[Toronto Villa]

Interesting to read in Kendrick's latest article that McLeish has said he won't be scouting players for us at the Euros. That's because Alex you won't have a club to manage.

In fairness I bloody hope no manager of ours would scout players at the Euros. Playing a maximum of 7 games of peak exposure, with inflated prices if they do well. No, it's a good rule of thumb to avoid anyone who's just done well in major tournaments as their price will be massively inflated.

A bit of sweeping statement isn't it? What if you have been watching a player for his club and then followed that up by scouting at the Euros. I'm sure Europe's biggest clubs will have scouts at the competition as should we. And not only the Euros, the African Nations, Copa America, Asian Cup etc

Okay, more accurately, never sign a player solely on the basis of a major tournament performance. It's just not a big enough sample of games and it's in the environment of international football, so different to club football.

That makes a lot more sense Monty.

[brian green]

If he spends the summer pruning roses they better put the Accident Hospital Digit Microsurgery Unit on high alert.

[frank black]

There's no way he's staying, I'm going with positive thoughts now. If you just think logically there is no way he can keep his job.

Logically thinking, he should never have got the job in the first place. I remember the first time I heard the rumour we wanted him. I offered to run up and down Lickey road naked, if we recruited him. Just glad no-one was sober enough to remember this in the morning.

[Matt Collins]

I've got a pretty bad feeling that he might stay. They must be thinking we can't keep on changing manager (though they haven't actually sacked someone yet). I hope they don't buy the argument that we've been unlucky. We've had a bit of bad luck, but no more than someone like Bolton with their injuries / losing players for no fee. And the football's been utterly depressing for the most part.

[PaulWinch again]

It's not bad luck it's quintessential Mcleish, he does this every year. He's just a fucking shit manager, nothing will change that and giving more time is just suicide. He has to go.

[villajk]

I wonder if this is the warchest meeting.

Your just winding us all up now arn't you?

Dcf on a wind up?  Never!

[Toronto Villa]

I find it funny that McLeish is surprised that Cueller and Heskey have said they're leaving. That he said no decision has been made about their future. Idiot.

[PaulWinch again]

I find it funny that McLeish is surprised that Cueller and Heskey have said they're leaving. That he said no decision has been made about their future. Idiot.

That suggests he's been cut out of the loop.

[rooboy316]

I've got a pretty bad feeling that he might stay. They must be thinking we can't keep on changing manager (though they haven't actually sacked someone yet). I hope they don't buy the argument that we've been unlucky. We've had a bit of bad luck, but no more than someone like Bolton with their injuries / losing players for no fee. And the football's been utterly depressing for the most part.

I think he'll stay too.  The board won't want to pay out another manage, and they'll cite injuries/luck as well as wanting to give him a full off-season to shape his squad transfer-wise. 

Generally I think football clubs are often hasty in sacking managers, and the instability that ensues does more damage than good.  In our current situation though, I don't think it would be hasty in the slightest.

[rooboy316]

It'd be fascinating to see a poll of how many on here actually believe the board will sack him.

[Eigentor]

Fat Rafa is still out of work, that concerns me a little!!

I agree. I recall his best Lplop team winning 4-0 against Real Madrid, 4-1 at Old Trafford and 5-0 against us. I don't want to risk watching anything resembling anything like that after a season of "McLeish-ball".

[PaulWinch again]

Are you seriously saying we're too good for a manager who has won La Liga and the Champions League? Christ. I'd be ecstatic if Benitez took charge at Villa.

[DB]

Are you seriously saying we're too good for a manager who has won La Liga and the Champions League? Christ. I'd be ecstatic if Benitez took charge at Villa.

As long as he is expalined to financial restraints, yes - bring him on.

[danlanza]

Great if he was Villa manager but he wont be because of the lack of transfer funds.

[OCD]

Benitez is the most over-rated manager in recent memory.  He might have won a Champions League medal with Liverpool but he got to the final by playing such defensive football that it would make McLeish look like Keegan. Then when he got to the final, it was his tactics (leaving Hamann out of the side which meant there being a gaping hole between defence and midfield) that led to them being 3-0 down at half-time and it really could have been 5 or 6 if Inzaghi had been more prolific. It was only the combination of bringing Hamann on and Gerrard doing the business that they were able to get back into the game and then momentum carried them through.

Benitez wouldn't inspire me and you could guarantee that the football would continue to be dour, defensive and passionless. So more of the same. For a much improved style of play I would much rather we get an AVB, Rodgers or Martinez. For a shrewd tactician, Lambert.