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

[tomd2103]

Ideally we need a sure-thing, as someone said - the equivalent of a BFR.

I agree with that, as despite what has happened, I still think the Villa job is a big one.  I remember reading John Gregory's autobiography and when he got the job at Villa, his mentor Arthur Cox was immediately on the phone saying "you've just been handed the keys to a megastore, not a cornershop.  Can you handle a megastore?". 

Although Lambert , Rodgers and Martinez do seem appealing, it worries me slightly that they have never managed at bigger clubs.  I wonder if we would be better going for someone like David Moyes or Mark Hughes, as they have both done well at bigger clubs.  I know that McLeish has kind of sullied the name of ex-Rangers managers, but I would put Walter Smith in that category as well. 

It doesn't worry me at all. I think Lambert has played for massive clubs, and will be well aware of the step up, while Martinez is a very bright man, and would know what he is walking into, and Rodgers was a coach under Mourinho at Chelsea. I think the bookies are going to be right though, I think one of the first 2 will get it. Which is anybodies guess.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be more than pleased with Lambert or Martinez, but Moyes would still be my first choice if he was available. 

Personally, if I was Martinez I would be eyeing up a job in Spain at this point.  If he went to one of the better clubs there, had a few good seasons with them and got into the Champions League, he could walk into pretty much any job in Europe.

[Steve R]

How about MON and Randy patching up their differences, MON paying back his compo; agreeing to work within the constraints laid down by Randy and at the first home game of next season in front of a full house come running out to the dug out to a chorus of Dear Old Pals, Jolly Old Pals! 

hehe

He would also have to promise to learn more than 1 tactical formation, sign players at no more than 150% of their true market value and ostracise no more than 10% of them.

Oh yes .. and have his head shaved, stay away from courtrooms and get a life too.

[Small Rodent]

I'm going for a dream team of DoF Sir Patrick Moore with Brian Cox as his underling.  Imagine the formations we'd play - 4-3-3...nah, it's NGC2770 supernova factory.  Forget about playing triangles too, we'd play stars and have special moves like the black hole or wormhole...

That would be great. The opposition get a penalty and the ball disappears down a wormhole, appearing in the opposition net, three seasons ago.

[ozzjim]

Amazing going the Houlier route to then employ McLeish.  Never understand that.

It was truly bizarre, but then I think he was a panicked appointment as the candidates dwindled down, and the board had a relationship with him already.

I hope they do go back to the playing football plan though, Houllier had the right ideas. Just need a younger, fitter man to carry that through. If Rodgers is 8 million we ain't going to pay it so can strike him out, express and star are saying that Rafa is ruled out due to worries on both sides.

Lambert or Martinez the most likely then, but there must be a similar style coach on in Europe that we can find?

[JB1811]

I would like Hoddle please.

[DeKuip]

I just hope it is someone with a surname we can spell.

And sing!
Not only did McLeish prove so difficult to spell for some but the sheep couldn't even pronounce it right in telling him to F*** off – it sounded like collective hiccups when everyone got to the M.

For this reason alone we'll have to go for Paul Lambeth – impossible to misspell or pronounce incorrectly. Or if we can't get him try Paul Lambert.

[not3bad]

1st choice Rogers, 2nd choice Martinez

[N'ZMAV]

Rodgers?

How about Moyes?...

[ozzjim]

Rodgers?

How about Moyes?...

Is that wink after your night with emile.... Rodgers on the mind?


Moyes would never, ever come!

[Mazrim]

There is more to entice a new manager than it might appear sometimes.
Besides the size, prestige and potential of the club we have:

- Some of the best facilities you could wish to work with and that will be enticing to the new breed of coaches.
- A fantastic academy.
- A genuine star striker to build a team around.
- A billionaire owner (who may have pulled the expenses back a bit but has been generous in the past and who's to say wont be again very soon?).
- Some genuinely good players that just need to be properly used.
- A (good) new manager will know he will have a period of great support from the fans because he's not McLeish.
- We pay well.
- It's the best named sporting institution in the world.
- Emile Heskey wont be there.

Most managers, even ones you'd think wouldn't be interested, possibly will be. IF the project laid before them is the right one.

[paul_e]

I really don't get the clamour for Rodgers, 1 season in the top flight, Yes they played decent football but I just don't think there's enough evidence that he can turn up at a club going the wrong way and repeat it.  Swansea already had a good footballing philosophy in place, and players used to that style.

If the £8m compensation rumour is correct then there's no way he's worth the risk.

[Mazrim]

And here's another name which I admit is ambitious but he's potentially available... van Gaal?

[Doorbell]

I'm going for a dream team of DoF Sir Patrick Moore with Brian Cox as his underling.  Imagine the formations we'd play - 4-3-3...nah, it's NGC2770 supernova factory.  Forget about playing triangles too, we'd play stars and have special moves like the black hole or wormhole...

That would be great. The opposition get a penalty and the ball disappears down a wormhole, appearing in the opposition net, three seasons ago.

Great minds SR.....

[Jon Crofts]

And here's another name which I admit is ambitious but he's potentially available... van Gaal?

You couldn't have Van Gaal, he'd never be able to pronounce Aston.

[mal]

It's got to be Martinez. Bring Moses too.

Moses on the right and a rejuvenated N'Zogbia on the left - look how Martinez got him playing for Wigan. Charles is a great player who was stifled by McLeish's negative defensive tactics.

Anyone who thinks Martinez can manage should note:
P127    W34    D36    L57    26.77% wins
is his premier league record which is a whole  lot better than F'Eck's 21.43% is'nt it?
Just because Shearer and Hansen say he's great doesn't make it so.