Who do you want as the next manager? New poll option.

[ROBBO]

The board is there just to look after the day to day Randy makes all the decisions, as any owner would.

[KevinGage]

Andre Villas Boas. He's even got the right name.

We've more chance of getting Andre Agassi.

I would love an ex-player who genuinely cares about the club to take over, but I can't think of too many ex-Villa players currently managing or who have recent experience of managing at a high level.  Southgate is one who springs to mind, but he hardly inspires confidence and he still isn't forgiven for the way he left us.  The only other one I can think of who is currently in a high profile coaching position is David Platt, but his managerial record is hardly brilliant.  Maybe it is because he was my favourite player when he played for us, but I'd be willing to give him a chance.  Having experienced football abroad both as a player and a manager, maybe he would be able to see the merits of and be willing to work under a Director of Football as well.  Graham Taylor Director of Football with Platty as coach? 

If you think McLeish and DOL are/were masters of talking the club down, spoonface would take the thing to a whole new level.  Don't think he's had any affection for (or even interest in)  the club since he left in 1991. 

That is certainly the impression he gives, any time he faces the chore of having to talk about the Villa in any way, shape or form.

[tomd2103]

Andre Villas Boas. He's even got the right name.

We've more chance of getting Andre Agassi.

I would love an ex-player who genuinely cares about the club to take over, but I can't think of too many ex-Villa players currently managing or who have recent experience of managing at a high level.  Southgate is one who springs to mind, but he hardly inspires confidence and he still isn't forgiven for the way he left us.  The only other one I can think of who is currently in a high profile coaching position is David Platt, but his managerial record is hardly brilliant.  Maybe it is because he was my favourite player when he played for us, but I'd be willing to give him a chance.  Having experienced football abroad both as a player and a manager, maybe he would be able to see the merits of and be willing to work under a Director of Football as well.  Graham Taylor Director of Football with Platty as coach? 

If you think McLeish and DOL are/were masters of talking the club down, spoonface would take the thing to a whole new level.  Don't think he's had any affection for (or even interest in)  the club since he left in 1991. 

That is certainly the impression he gives, any time he faces the chore of having to talk about the Villa in any way, shape or form.

I've heard that bee said before, but can't ever recall him saying anything negative about Villa or must have simply missed it.  From memory, he always got a good reception when he returned to Villa Park as a player and always applauded the Villa fans.  Apart from him, I can't think of any other ex-Villa players in high profile coaching or managerial roles, although there are quite a few in the media (Gray, Townsend, Collymore).

[Dante Lavelli]

Andre Villas Boas. He's even got the right name.

We've more chance of getting Andre Agassi.

I would love an ex-player who genuinely cares about the club to take over. 

Personally I think we’d be foolish to go down this route unless the candidate had shown exceptional skills towards coaching/management and indeed had sought to learn about the game.  David Platt in many ways personifies this foolishness.

The link below is an interesting piece about what makes the manager.  The suggestion, borderline evidence, indicates that playing football at a high level is not the key criteria.  In addition, this avoids problems associated with the players allegiances and previous clubs.

http://rs.442.com.au/forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=57370
(apologies if it was posted before).

[tomd2103]

Andre Villas Boas. He's even got the right name.

We've more chance of getting Andre Agassi.

I would love an ex-player who genuinely cares about the club to take over. 

Personally I think we’d be foolish to go down this route unless the candidate had shown exceptional skills towards coaching/management and indeed had sought to learn about the game.  David Platt in many ways personifies this foolishness.

The link below is an interesting piece about what makes the manager.  The suggestion, borderline evidence, indicates that playing football at a high level is not the key criteria.  In addition, this avoids problems associated with the players allegiances and previous clubs.

http://rs.442.com.au/forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=57370
(apologies if it was posted before).

Interesting article Dante, though I'm not sure the likes of Capello, Ancelotti and Guardiola had too many problems managing former clubs .  I take your point, but I am sick of managers rubbishing our club and telling us that as fans, we should not expect any better.  You never heard Big Ron, Brian Little and John Gregory putting the Villa down in the media and I just think being manager of Aston Villa might mean a little more to an ex-player.  I agree that if Platt is the best candidate in that category then it is probably a no-go, but it would be nice to hear a Villa manager showing a real passion for the club and talking us up for a change.

[WA Villan]

Get John Gregory back.

[peckvillajunior]

Get John Gregory back.

Was about to say the same thing myself. Possibly just the man to come in and fire them up for the last 3 games, reminding the players what Aston Villa actually means. He turned it around in 1998.

[Mazrim]

I'd be happy with anybody who doesn't think game by game points tallies should resemble binary code.

[Walmley_Villa]

Most of the players probably wouldn't even know who Gregory is!

[Irish villain]

Get John Gregory back.

Not a bad shout maybe.

[john e]

Get John Gregory back.

Not a bad shout maybe.

i thought we'd had our fill of negative defensive managers ?

[Risso]

Get John Gregory back.

Not a bad shout maybe.

i thought we'd had our fill of negative defensive managers ?

He got a bit dour towards the end, but we had some great games under Gregory.  I don't remember much negativity when he took over, we won about 8 out of 10 matches. 

[Ron Manager]

Get John Gregory back.

Not a bad shout maybe.

Id go with that..except Lerner and Faulkner wouldnt have a clue who he is.

i thought we'd had our fill of negative defensive managers ?

He got a bit dour towards the end, but we had some great games under Gregory.  I don't remember much negativity when he took over, we won about 8 out of 10 matches.

[VILLA MOLE]

ossie ardilies if we are going fully the other way

[SheffieldVillain]

Get John Gregory back.

Not a bad shout maybe.

i thought we'd had our fill of negative defensive managers ?

He got a bit dour towards the end, but we had some great games under Gregory.  I don't remember much negativity when he took over, we won about 8 out of 10 matches. 

I always get surprised about the level of dislike towards Gregory. Like Risso, I remember some really exciting times when he was manager albeit as mentioned becoming more defensive towards the end of his reign. Players like Carbone, Merson - one or two of them wouldn't go amiss now.