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

[garyshawsknee]

Lambert fits the bill for me- hes come through the divisions, good motivator, bought well and plays attractive football- id be happy to see him here.

Ditto,can see him wanting the job as well.

[Dante Lavelli]

Van Gall is a good shout, and he’s out of work too.

As i tried to explain earlier.  We need to hope that one of these managers is prepared to put his reputation on the line.  Whilst it may belittle us a bit, I’d be happy for a top manager to essentially say we’re currently shit but I want to build a club from the bottom up, using my X years of coaching experience rather than the chairman’s chequebook.

The reality is that Van Gaal, AVB and Capello are not going to come based on the normal motivations however that should not mean the club should not ask.  In fact, I’d be furious if available top managers were not asked just because they are perceived to be too big for us.

[Merv]

I think back to this time last year when we entertained thoughts of Benitez becoming our new manager, and remember who we actually ended up with. I doubt we'd even make a tentative approach to Capello, let alone progress discussions with him after that.

Apparently Benitez wanted a lot of transfer cash.  Cash we did not have.  It was rumoured at the time that he was telling the press that he wanted the Villa job because he wanted a long term project, whereas from what I have read here, what he actually wanted was to buy “success”.

With regards to the likes of Capello, Benitez and sat AVB, it would be nice to think that one of these star mangers genuinely would like the challenge of building a club up with limited resources.  It’s a sad reflection on them - and football - that this is only possible when money is thrown at the problem.

Surely, if they explained that this was a long term project and money would not be available for transfers etc, then their reputations would actually be enhanced by any improvements from the club. 

Furthermore, as demonstrated by MON and AMc’s salaries, on an individual level they’re likely to highly rewarded financially too.

Hmmm. You think Capello would have lower expectations than Benitez? Much as we'd like to think a five-year project to overhaul Villa might appeal to someone like Capello, I don't see why it would at all.

We'll find out within a few months, I guess.

[Dante Lavelli]

Just reading an article on Lambert...

Motherwell refused to offer him a new contract expecting him to return the following pre-season with reduced wage demands.  He didn’t, instead he had an unsuccessful trial at PSV and ultimately signed for Dortmund, winning the champions league the following May (with arguably a MOM performance).

Guess who the manager of Motherwell was who refused to offer him a contract?

[Merv]

Ha! Really? Good call, AM. Lambert had the best spell of his career at Dortmund.

[Dante Lavelli]

"Lambert was receiving an education, lessons from which he still draws on today as Norwich City manager. Any illuminating comment from Sammer, Möller, Kohler or Karl-Heinz Riedle was noted by Lambert. “I wrote everything down. I knew I was going to learn and I kept the book. I absorbed everything.”

...and based on this week’s antics:

"Strong on discipline among his Norwich players, Lambert has eyes and ears all around the city. “I am told everything here. If anybody is out, I find out. I have had letters from people telling me things. I would not be having a young player going out drinking. It’s an impossibility, even more so now with the media attention so severe. They are role models now. They can’t get caught up to things.”

[Stu]

Van Gall is a good shout, and he’s out of work too.

As i tried to explain earlier.  We need to hope that one of these managers is prepared to put his reputation on the line.  Whilst it may belittle us a bit, I’d be happy for a top manager to essentially say we’re currently shit but I want to build a club from the bottom up, using my X years of coaching experience rather than the chairman’s chequebook.

The reality is that Van Gaal, AVB and Capello are not going to come based on the normal motivations however that should not mean the club should not ask.  In fact, I’d be furious if available top managers were not asked just because they are perceived to be too big for us.

Well Paul Faulkner said that the club wanted to have an 'Ajax style' method of bring through players from the academy didn't he? Who better to implement it at first team level than Van Gaal? It would be awesome, but I just can't see it sadly, not when I think about it rationally. Its the same situation as with Capello.

[Toronto Villa]

How about Capello in a DOF role with someone like Martinez as manager/coach?

John, I do love your optimism

[Matt C]

I'd prefer Lambert to Rodgers to be honest.

[ozzjim]

I think Lambert would be the best fit for us as a club, although Martinez intrigues me more, Lambert could be our Moyes. I certainly would be delighted to get either. I don't want someone at the other end now, I want someone early 40's that can build for the next 5-10 years, not 3.

[Eigentor]

Capello is a very competent manager, but I don't think Lerner/the board wants to work with such a strong personality. And I don't think he would have put up with the kind of treatment McLeish has been given for very long.

Let's imagine Randy wants to stop hemorrhaging money and actually start making some back. What better way than bringing in somebody that knows the game inside out. Even on a two year contract, we could still after offer him a position upstairs on the board. Salary won't be an issue (according to Capello) so we need to make sure the project is interesting enough.

Randy and Capello can spend their spare time discussing art. A marriage made in heaven (providing Randy is prepared to realistically back his man and his man is prepared to be realistic).

Don't disagree with your thinking, but it would mean that Randy have to become serious again. One example: reportedly, Lerner and McLeish didn't discuss the January transfer window before deep into December, presumably because Lerner wasn't available. Capello wouldn't have accepted such treatment.

FWIW, I don't understand those who don't want successful managers like Capello (or Benitez for that matter) because they have too big egos. A big club like Villa should be able to handle a manager with a big ego. If it's a requirement that the manager should be overwhelmed when named Villa manager, we'll be forever searching in the lower tiers.

I suspect that the sticking point isn't the size of the transfer budget, but how serious the owner is about creating an interesting project.

[Dave]

I'd think Rodgers and Houghton also meet that criteria, just with the added cost of compensation to their clubs.

For the millionth time, his name is Hughton

Unless you're talking about getting Ray off his RTE sofa or Eric back from the grave.

[Toronto Villa]

The only way we are going to land a big fish to replace McLeish is Randy truly wants to have a proper dig at this again. If he says to himself, "fuck it let's give it a go", much like he did when he first came here then all bets are off and aside from the truly elite names, almost anyone is possible. Thing is, I don't think we'll be in a position to do that again for a good while. I get the impression Randy was bitten by MON, and he'll be reluctant to go down that road again any time soon.

[Concrete John]

How about Capello in a DOF role with someone like Martinez as manager/coach?

John, I do love your optimism

I've tried to cure it, and this season has provided plenty of source material to that effect, but I just can't help it!

[Stu]

The only way we are going to land a big fish to replace McLeish is Randy truly wants to have a proper dig at this again. If he says to himself, "fuck it let's give it a go", much like he did when he first came here then all bets are off and aside from the truly elite names, almost anyone is possible. Thing is, I don't think we'll be in a position to do that again for a good while. I get the impression Randy was bitten by MON, and he'll be reluctant to go down that road again any time soon.

Well that and the FFP rules kick in soon. We'll get punished for haemorrhaging money like we have been over the last few years.