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

[CJ]

I've gone for Martinez. Laid the foundations for a style of play at Swansea which Rodgers has continued, and which he maintains on limited funds at Wigan. He's shown what can be done against the 'elite' teams if you don't surrender before a ball's been kicked, and seems to do ok in the transfer market.

I'd be happy with him, Lambert or Rodgers, but Di Matteo is a no for me - in the PL at Olbiyun he only got 26 points from 25 games. It's one thing managing a bunch of egos who run the club anyway, but another thing entirely at a more challenging level.

On Talkshite yesterday Collymore said he thought Villa had a short-list of 4 managers - 2 currently employed in the PL and 2 not currently working. My guess is the 2 in the PL will be Martinez and Lambert. But who the 2 not working are I couldn't even start to guess - could be anyone from AVB to Capello, to McCarthy or Bruce - all equally unlikely imho

[Mazrim]

I'd guess at Lambert and Rodgers for the 2 currently employed and AVB and Benitez (or Capello) as the two unemployed.

[Greg N'Ash]

Think the biggest problem we've got now is the Joker in the pack that is our board and owner. Its obvious there's been no coherant command structure there from the start, which was fine until MON left and they had to think for themselves. Houllier you could at least see where they were trying to go even if they had the wrong players for it, but since then its been a mixture of knee-jerk reactions and bizarre decisions.

Inviting McClaren and then cancelling it alledgedly on the opinion of the fans; approaching Martinez without sounding him out whether he was even prepared to leave; Tapping up AM partly on the say so of Alex Ferguson and this time totally ignoring the fan's opinions;Expecting to challenge for Europe while taking 20m pounds out the squad; Faulkner's Ajax of the midland's idea; Apparently convincing AM that he was here next season upto the point where he's arranging the meeting where they sack him

There's other examples of their ineptitude but you get the idea. I'd like to see Faulkner given the push and someone with experience bought in because i fear we could get another nasty surprise if he's involved in the selection process. I mean is Lerner listening to this man?

[ozzjim]

I reckon Martinez is in the mix Maz, and the 2 and 2 is not set in stone because Collymore said it is it, or have you heard this from your sources too?

I think if they thought Martinez was right to take forward the Houllier model last season, they will have been impressed having bought their best player last summer to see them do it again, more impressively this season. Logic dictates that they are not petty enough to not go back in just because he felt loyalty to Wigan last season.

[Jarpie]

AVFCMysteryman posted in twitter that Faulkner was against sacking McLeish but who knows about twatter bullshit, but if that's true, then Lerner doesn't seem to blindly listen Faulkner.

[Tuscans]

I Have steamed through the last 20-odd pages and think we have gone off the point.  So, in the spirit of this thread, I want Glenn Hoddle.

For Manager, obv.

That!

He started the ball rolling at Chelsea in my opinion, bringing in Gullit, Vialli and co. I know Shearer said on record aside from Sir Bobby he is the without doubt the best manager he has ever worked for, on the training ground and off it. That includes Keegan, Dalglish and Venables.

Hoddle for me.

[Neil Hawkes]

I think if they thought Martinez was right to take forward the Houllier model last season, they will have been impressed having bought their best player last summer to see them do it again, more impressively this season. Logic dictates that they are not petty enough to not go back in just because he felt loyalty to Wigan last season.

I can't see why there would be pettiness involved in appreciating an admirable quality, sadly lacking in most of the footballing world.
If we want a legacy, we need someone to commit to Villa longterm, with integrity from both the club and the manager

[Jimbo]

I'd hope the board have lost some of their naivety in the last 12 months. The letter from Fergie was one of the most embarrassing episodes in the club's history. This time, I hope they've enlisted the help of an advisor who isn't also a competitor. They will also now realise - I hope - that we're going to have to spend some money, so that might give us more leverage when it comes to persuading the right man to come.

AVB, Lambert or Rodgers would all fit the bill in my opinion, but please nobody on their way down, and no 'safe hands' that will lead us into mediocrity for the next few years before the inevitable slump and dismissal. A young, hungry manager with a point to prove and a vision for maximising the potential of this great club is what we need. 

[dave.woodhall]

AVFCMysteryman posted in twitter that Faulkner was against sacking McLeish but who knows about twatter bullshit, but if that's true, then Lerner doesn't seem to blindly listen Faulkner.

It isn't only on Twitter that people come to their conclusions based on untruths.

[N'ZMAV]

I'd guess at Lambert and Rodgers for the 2 currently employed and AVB and Benitez (or Capello) as the two unemployed.

Bruce & Curbishley.

[N'ZMAV]

Why are people talking about AVB? is he amongst the favourites?

[Concrete John]

I'd agree with Maz that the two managers in jobs, if Colly more is correct, would be Lambert and Rodgers.  They might not have minded Martinez saying no, but the way Villa like to conduct business in private would say to me Wigan going public, and he spoke about it as well as Whelan, would put them off.

It'd be interesting if Benitez is on the short list as we understand we didn't take that one further last year because he wanted a lot of money to spend.  Would him being considered again be an indication that Randy was prepared to open the wallet again?

[Jarpie]

AVFCMysteryman posted in twitter that Faulkner was against sacking McLeish but who knows about twatter bullshit, but if that's true, then Lerner doesn't seem to blindly listen Faulkner.

It isn't only on Twitter that people come to their conclusions based on untruths.

I take everything said by people who claims to be "ITK" with huge pinch of salt.

[Jimbo]

Why are people talking about AVB? is he amongst the favourites?

I don't think so. I think it's unlikely he'd come but I think he'd be the kind of manager we should be looking for. Someone like AVB might be able to bring cheaper, and talented, overseas players with him. We need to build a culture around our young players that will last for many years. In many ways were starting all over.

[silhillvilla]

Let's see if the board make a dogs breakfast of the selection/interview process again
It could be very embarrassing if we get snubbed by the managers of Wigan, Swansea & Norwich
That could lead to panic and another abortion of an appointment