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

[James]

You heard it here first. - Capello

Can't see that one

That's what he said, squinting through those glasses, but in Italian of course! 

[Monty]

I don't understand the negative feeling to Martinez, it smacks of a complete misreading of the situation.

He himself recently said "I did not turn down Aston Villa for football reasons". He felt he had work still to do at Wigan and owed them a debt of gratitude. It's not like he's done a Mark Hughes, is it? To say that he should have instantly dropped all obligations he felt towards anyone else and jumped straight to Villa is Liverpool-esque arrogance. We all got angry when Downing jumped ship with so little gratitude, but we're annoyed Martinez didn't do the same to come to us? That's a blatant double standard.

If anything, his actions last year make him precisely the kind of man I do want at Aston Villa. He's professional, he's honourable, he feels a sense of obligation towards people other than himself. Frankly, compare that to Lambert who has a career history of jumping ship at the first opportunity (I'm not blaming him as such, just saying that he's acted less honourably than Martinez).

[Concrete John]

With Martinez I agree we should wait until he approaches us.  Then say 'no tar' and leak it to the press.

Revenge on Whelan would make this an even better week!!

[PeterWithe]

Glenn Hoddle is an innovate coach and would be cheap, I'd still not be dismayed to see him rock up here.

[clash city rocker]

Listening to the monday night club on the way home tonight. Apparently Dalglish has had to fly to America today to explain the season with the owners and the rumour is that Liverpool are interested in Martinez.   

[Stu]

I can't believe how much talksport are trying to eke out the Gary Neville appointment. They've been wittering on about it for about half an hour, I don't understand why they're trying to get such a debate on it going. Who cares, really?

[PaulWinch again]

I think Martinez is getting a bad rap, he turned down the opportunity to talk out of loyalty to his club not because he was looking down on us.

[Ian.]

I don't understand the negative feeling to Martinez, it smacks of a complete misreading of the situation.

He himself recently said "I did not turn down Aston Villa for football reasons". He felt he had work still to do at Wigan and owed them a debt of gratitude. It's not like he's done a Mark Hughes, is it? To say that he should have instantly dropped all obligations he felt towards anyone else and jumped straight to Villa is Liverpool-esque arrogance. We all got angry when Downing jumped ship with so little gratitude, but we're annoyed Martinez didn't do the same to come to us? That's a blatant double standard.

If anything, his actions last year make him precisely the kind of man I do want at Aston Villa. He's professional, he's honourable, he feels a sense of obligation towards people other than himself. Frankly, compare that to Lambert who has a career history of jumping ship at the first opportunity (I'm not blaming him as such, just saying that he's acted less honourably than Martinez).

Quite right, I totally agree about Martinez. I also think  Lambert has had to follow his path to further his ambitions as a manager.

I'd be more happy with either of these two.

[James]

I don't understand the negative feeling to Martinez, it smacks of a complete misreading of the situation.

He himself recently said "I did not turn down Aston Villa for football reasons". He felt he had work still to do at Wigan and owed them a debt of gratitude. It's not like he's done a Mark Hughes, is it? To say that he should have instantly dropped all obligations he felt towards anyone else and jumped straight to Villa is Liverpool-esque arrogance. We all got angry when Downing jumped ship with so little gratitude, but we're annoyed Martinez didn't do the same to come to us? That's a blatant double standard.

If anything, his actions last year make him precisely the kind of man I do want at Aston Villa. He's professional, he's honourable, he feels a sense of obligation towards people other than himself. Frankly, compare that to Lambert who has a career history of jumping ship at the first opportunity (I'm not blaming him as such, just saying that he's acted less honourably than Martinez).

How do you misread a guy that's just about managed to keep Wigan in the Prem for two years? How do you misread no improvement? How do you misread a guy whose team starts playing in April? If he has a top half finish with Wigan next year then he has a case, until then, on the face of it, he hasn't improved them and shouldn't be in the frame for a bigger job. QED.

[London Villan]

I don't understand the negative feeling to Martinez, it smacks of a complete misreading of the situation.

He himself recently said "I did not turn down Aston Villa for football reasons". He felt he had work still to do at Wigan and owed them a debt of gratitude. It's not like he's done a Mark Hughes, is it? To say that he should have instantly dropped all obligations he felt towards anyone else and jumped straight to Villa is Liverpool-esque arrogance. We all got angry when Downing jumped ship with so little gratitude, but we're annoyed Martinez didn't do the same to come to us? That's a blatant double standard.

If anything, his actions last year make him precisely the kind of man I do want at Aston Villa. He's professional, he's honourable, he feels a sense of obligation towards people other than himself. Frankly, compare that to Lambert who has a career history of jumping ship at the first opportunity (I'm not blaming him as such, just saying that he's acted less honourably than Martinez).

As a person yes, he ticks a lot of boxes, as a manager I'm not convinced due to his performance and his teams finishing positions in the Premiership.

[Stu]

I think Martinez is getting a bad rap, he turned down the opportunity to talk out of loyalty to his club not because he was looking down on us.

Fair enough, but he missed the opportunity. For me, he hasn't pulled up any trees either, so I'm hoping we don't go for him. Couldn't understand why we were going for him last year, and I haven't seen anything of this season that has changed my mind. Great end to the season from Wigan, fair enough, but why were they only performing towards the end of the season?

[PeterWithe]

Maybe Slaven Bilic, even?

He's apparently agreed a contact with a Moscow club after the Euros.

[Irish villain]

I think Martinez is getting a bad rap, he turned down the opportunity to talk out of loyalty to his club not because he was looking down on us.

Yes, fair enough. But what of his record at Wigan? Why do they struggle until the last five or six games every season? I'd much rather we were on 40+ points in March and went on an MON style burn out than be struggling against relegation in March before finally getting our act together.

Is he a top ten manager? For me, the jury is out whereas I'm more confident that Rogers and Lambert have what it takes.

No to Ranieri from me. GH mark II.

[garyshawsknee]

I can't believe how much talksport are trying to eke out the Gary Neville appointment. They've been wittering on about it for about half an hour, I don't understand why they're trying to get such a debate on it going. Who cares, really?

I know,we've been reduced to our motd slot again.

[Bournvillan]

I tell you what, I reckon would Martinez would jump at it this time. There seems to have been a shift in the boardroom.

He can want it. He turned us down once, so he's missed his chance as far as I'm concerned.

This for me.

and me.......the thought of going cap in hand to Dave Whelan, not in a million years........

I think Martinez should do the first year for free based on the fact that if he hadn't turned us down, we wouldn't have had to endure last season.

I voted Lambert