Would you be happy with Ole Gunnar Solskjær? Now with added poll.

[tarzansbrother]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

Would you say no news is good news Dave? Or could you see panic set in if the appointment isn't soon?

[garyfouroaks]

I have never known a situation where three good jobs, for different reasons, at Villa, Albion and the Dippers, have remained unfilled for so long.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Whats the panic? If there was any time of year to be having to search for a new manager, take a bit of time and not panic, then surely it is now.

[itbrvilla]

I have never known a situation where three good jobs, for different reasons, at Villa, Albion and the Dippers, have remained unfilled for so long.

I think Albion feel they could push on from last season after finishing above both their biggest local rivals and as a result are playing it carefully to try an find someone to try and keep it that way.  Liverpool and us on the other hand look from the outside like a rudderless ship that's just hit an iceberg.

[dave.woodhall]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

Would you say no news is good news Dave? Or could you see panic set in if the appointment isn't soon?

There seems to be panic on here already. I don;t know what's happening. There really is not one clue coming out of Villa Park.

[Steve67]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

Would you say no news is good news Dave? Or could you see panic set in if the appointment isn't soon?

There seems to be panic on here already. I don;t know what's happening. There really is not one clue coming out of Villa Park.

Who is your preferred candidate Dave?

[dave.woodhall]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

Would you say no news is good news Dave? Or could you see panic set in if the appointment isn't soon?

There seems to be panic on here already. I don;t know what's happening. There really is not one clue coming out of Villa Park.

Who is your preferred candidate Dave?

Without knowing what he's got to work with I don't know.

[Toronto Villa]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

This is what it feels like. I'm sure there's lots going on in the background but it sure seems like absolutely no progress has been made and the longer it goes on the more worried people will get!

Signing a manager is becoming a lot like signing a wanted player. A lot of gas in the air, agents, posturing, double talk, smoking mirrors etc. i'm sure Villa aren't just sitting on their hands but it does appear that one deal has to get done of the four vacancies for things to get going. There's not real need for rush though as we are still in May but it would be nice to have a bit of certainty for all concerned soon.

[Steve67]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

Would you say no news is good news Dave? Or could you see panic set in if the appointment isn't soon?

There seems to be panic on here already. I don;t know what's happening. There really is not one clue coming out of Villa Park.

Who is your preferred candidate Dave?

Without knowing what he's got to work with I don't know.

I think that's a very good point and possibly one of the reasons it'll take so long to appoint someone.  A statement of intent in some peoples eyes if it's Rafa, as he'll need to rebuild the squad.  Or, just happy to be at Villa if it's someone like Simon Grayson I suppose. FWIW, I said Lambert from the off.  A solid if unspectacular appointment, arguably a bit dour, but safe.  I voted for Martinez on the poll because I think he's a better fit.  But what the hell do I know?

[dave.woodhall]

I think of the mooted candidates I'd go for Martinez because he might have more to offer than he's shown already, whereas with Lambert especially, what you see is what you're always going to get. But we don't know what the board might have up their sleeve; they might be talking to someone in Spain or Italy at this minute.

[Monty]

I think of the mooted candidates I'd go for Martinez because he might have more to offer than he's shown already, whereas with Lambert especially, what you see is what you're always going to get. But we don't know what the board might have up their sleeve; they might be talking to someone in Spain or Italy at this minute.

I agree with that, and in the case of Lambert we know what we're going to get - because we already had it for four years. Also, Spain and Italy would be all fine and well, but I'd say there are more viable and excelling young coaches in Germany and Holland, and I hope the board haven't neglected those areas in their search.

[Toronto Villa]

I think of the mooted candidates I'd go for Martinez because he might have more to offer than he's shown already, whereas with Lambert especially, what you see is what you're always going to get. But we don't know what the board might have up their sleeve; they might be talking to someone in Spain or Italy at this minute.

I agree with that, and in the case of Lambert we know what we're going to get - because we already had it for four years. Also, Spain and Italy would be all fine and well, but I'd say there are more viable and excelling young coaches in Germany and Holland, and I hope the board haven't neglected those areas in their search.

I think the fact that nobody had us linked with a rising star coach out of Norway should give us all some hope that the strategy had changed. Imagine has someone leaked that we were talking to Curbishley, as we had done last year, how different the mood on this place would be. Like you, and think for most of us, we would be willing to give someone we less about that plays the game the right way more of a chance, than the same old same old that we all kind of know how it is going to end up.

[john e]

whats happening with Martinez and Liverpool ?

[Rigadon]

I've never known a manager hunt where there was so little to go on. In 11 days all we've had is one lot of talks and a candidate turning down the job when he apparently hadn't been offered it anyway. The club are playing their cards very close to their chest but you can only get away with tapping your finger on your nose and winking for so long.

This is what it feels like. I'm sure there's lots going on in the background but it sure seems like absolutely no progress has been made and the longer it goes on the more worried people will get!

Signing a manager is becoming a lot like signing a wanted player. A lot of gas in the air, agents, posturing, double talk, smoking mirrors etc. .

Yep, I was thinking the same thing.  It's very similar indeed. 

[Monty]

whats happening with Martinez and Liverpool ?

Whelan, megaphone strapped to his mouth, claimed Liverpool have offered him the job, but Liverpool have distanced themselves from this. Whelan also claims that Martinez might reject any Liverpool offer which compromises his control of transfers, handing that to the prospective sporting director, maybe Van Gaal.

I think of the mooted candidates I'd go for Martinez because he might have more to offer than he's shown already, whereas with Lambert especially, what you see is what you're always going to get. But we don't know what the board might have up their sleeve; they might be talking to someone in Spain or Italy at this minute.

I agree with that, and in the case of Lambert we know what we're going to get - because we already had it for four years. Also, Spain and Italy would be all fine and well, but I'd say there are more viable and excelling young coaches in Germany and Holland, and I hope the board haven't neglected those areas in their search.

I think the fact that nobody had us linked with a rising star coach out of Norway should give us all some hope that the strategy had changed. Imagine has someone leaked that we were talking to Curbishley, as we had done last year, how different the mood on this place would be. Like you, and think for most of us, we would be willing to give someone we less about that plays the game the right way more of a chance, than the same old same old that we all kind of know how it is going to end up.

Let's hope. It certainly does feel different, more modern certainly. It seems to me that they've learned lessons: with GH and McLeish, they accepted certain things as gospel which they aren't this time, especially that Premier League experience rubbish. They also seem clearer in the style of football they're looking for than last year's ridiculous Martinez-then-McLeish confusion.