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

[James]

If Martinez opts to stay at Wigan I don't believe that will mean he has no ambition. i haven't been his biggest fan, but I've said for ages that if he stays another seaon and gets Wigan a decent top half finish, he can more or less write his own ticket with the bigger clubs next summer.

[PaulTheVillan]

Martinez must enjoy relegation battles

[mazrimsbruv]

A side note ...........  I find it amazing that you all skipped over my ITK on Martinez from last summer.

Which was?

He works for a c***.

I put it on yest afternoon or so. Known about since it happened.

Basically, he said yes last year but Whelan stopped it with a ridiculous compo demand which RL said no to.

RM still has friends from his Walsall days round here.

Why didn't Martinez just resign then?

Well we'd have been in the same situation as we were with McLeish, ending up paying the same compo anyway.

I don't think so. I presume we paid compo because we'd tapped him up whereas if we made Martinez an offer and he said no, then we'd have had Whelan's permission to speak to him.

Surely an owner can't hold a manager against his will by making unrealistic compensation demands?

[Aston Manor]

As mentioned in Mr Woodhall's latest article, the presence of Euro 2012 may affect the timing on the appointment of Villa's new manager.

This got me thinking (apologies if its already been discussed) as to whether there are any managers of teams in Euro 2012 who might be of interest.

Maybe the board are just taking their time making sure  they get the right manager this time around and we don't endure the farce that was the build-up to the previous two appointments.

[damon loves JT]

In Martinez' shoes I would be wanting Whelan to shut the fuck up about me. He's turned from swinger husband into pushy parent.

[TRO]

Honestly I dont know ........all I can tell you, is my friend has been his mate since the 3 amigos days at Walsall, when he first came over.

[ozzjim]

A side note ...........  I find it amazing that you all skipped over my ITK on Martinez from last summer.

Which was?

He works for a c***.

I put it on yest afternoon or so. Known about since it happened.

Basically, he said yes last year but Whelan stopped it with a ridiculous compo demand which RL said no to.

RM still has friends from his Walsall days round here.

Why didn't Martinez just resign then?

Well we'd have been in the same situation as we were with McLeish, ending up paying the same compo anyway.

I don't think so. I presume we paid compo because we'd tapped him up whereas if we made Martinez an offer and he said no, then we'd have had Whelan's permission to speak to him.

Surely an owner can't hold a manager against his will by making unrealistic compensation demands?

They can demand what they like and put the manager on gardening leave until the other club pay or a tribunal sets the fee I presume.

[Monty]

I don't think so. I presume we paid compo because we'd tapped him up whereas if we made Martinez an offer and he said no, then we'd have had Whelan's permission to speak to him.

Surely an owner can't hold a manager against his will by making unrealistic compensation demands?

Well the contract goes two ways. A transfer fee is, essentially, an agreed compensation figure, and managerial moves are no different. Whelan would need to be compensated for the loss of his employee.

[The Laughing Policeman]

As mentioned in Mr Woodhall's latest article, the presence of Euro 2012 may affect the timing on the appointment of Villa's new manager.

This got me thinking (apologies if its already been discussed) as to whether there are any managers of teams in Euro 2012 who might be of interest.

Joachim Low?

[Merv]

Another thing I think we should move heaven and earth to get Steve Clarke as every manager that he has worked with has commented on how great a coach he is. As much as we need a man at the top we should think very hard about what it would take to get this number 2 in.

I read a very good article/interview with Steve Clarke recently, where he talked about his ambition to be a No.1, but no-one willing to take a gamble. He's probably more than ready, given his wide experience, to take on the main coaching role at a PL club...

[Aston Manor]

Another thing I think we should move heaven and earth to get Steve Clarke as every manager that he has worked with has commented on how great a coach he is. As much as we need a man at the top we should think very hard about what it would take to get this number 2 in.

I read a very good article/interview with Steve Clarke recently, where he talked about his ambition to be a No.1, but no-one willing to take a gamble. He's probably more than ready, given his wide experience, to take on the main coaching role at a PL club...

I think he's very talented but I'm not sure I'd want him as our number 1 without some experience there also.Its like a top newspaper asking their best journalist to be the editor-in-chief  and  expecting them to be able to make the top decisions consistently.

[Merv]

I see what you're saying, although being in the publishing industry I can promise you that, very often, leading and talented journalists are promoted to editor positions... 

For me, I feel we need to break out of this way of thinking somewhat. Every manager, at some point, has been given a chance to step up, and Steve Clarke has been assistant manager with Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool, and widely acknowledged as one of the best coaches in the UK game. Not saying he'd be my choice, but don't think we should be afraid of going with a really talented coach and giving him a break. How does Clarke's CV compare with OGS, for example?

[N'ZMAV]

Brian Kidd...

[James]

Brian Kidd...

There is always that risk, but it doesn't mean such a move should not be considered IMHO.

[N'ZMAV]

Terry Connor....

only kidding, there is a number 2 out there somewhere waiting to become a world-beater....