Roy Keane - new assistant manager (CONFIRMED)

[supertom]

That picture of him holding the shirt - wish that was 20 years ago!!

I reckon he could still outpace Karim.

[ChicagoLion]

Clark says that he's been brilliant with the Irish squad!

Like he would dare say anything else.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

He could have kept his mouth shut though.

[Jon Crofts]

Can't help but laugh at some of the comments on the AVFC Official Facebook page re what Roy Keane will bring to Villa.

Winning mentality seems to be a common theme, I fear for some of our players who can't throw a ball to one another let alone kick it to each other, this may be a step too far.

[TopDeck113]

The club is in desperate need of a very loud wake up call. Roy Keane may be the man with the balls and the strength of character to give the club the kick up the backside it needs. Not just the players, they are by and large not good enough and that is not their fault, but the whole sense of drift, absenteeism, buck passing and doziness which has engulfed the club for the last four years must be blasted away. Villa Park is currently no place for nice guys and yes men.

After giving it some thought, that's my take on it.  We must currently be one of the favourites for relegation and in the absence of the takeover with mega-billions to throw around on World Cup stars, this at least has the potential shaking up the lethargy hanging over the club like a bad smell.  Of course it might all turn out to be a disastrous appointment, but if it does, I don't think we'll find ourselves in a worse position than we're currently on course for.

[MyDadIsBiggerThanYourDad]

Go Kick ass Roy!

[greenwichvilla]

In a way, isn't this just another attempt for Lerner to help get the club sold? Playing staff (and mangerial staff, essentially anyone on the payroll recognisable to the public) are seen as assets.

Keane is obviously a fairly big name and one that ultimately brings a higher profile to the club. With the extra media exposure this brings and a higher profile name on the bench, does this make the club easier to sell?

It could also make a new managerial appointment for any new owner easier as Keane is already 'in place'

I have a feeling Keane will be in charge of the first team sooner rather than later, in any case.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Very good press conference I thought. No nonsense, had a straight answer for every question. Dismissed concerns about the club being up for sale.

[Toronto Villa]

He still looks hard as nails even with the beard.

[Steve67]

Could be exactly what the club needs. He's ours now, so I support him.

[richard moore]

The club is in desperate need of a very loud wake up call. Roy Keane may be the man with the balls and the strength of character to give the club the kick up the backside it needs. Not just the players, they are by and large not good enough and that is not their fault, but the whole sense of drift, absenteeism, buck passing and doziness which has engulfed the club for the last four years must be blasted away. Villa Park is currently no place for nice guys and yes men.

After giving it some thought, that's my take on it.  We must currently be one of the favourites for relegation and in the absence of the takeover with mega-billions to throw around on World Cup stars, this at least has the potential shaking up the lethargy hanging over the club like a bad smell.  Of course it might all turn out to be a disastrous appointment, but if it does, I don't think we'll find ourselves in a worse position than we're currently on course for.

You both sum up my thoughts on the matter perfectly. I've almost got to the stage where I just want something exciting to happen, even if it's exciting and bloody disastrous. Of course, I probably don't really mean that if pushed, but everything about the club has been so moribund and so boring that I almost crave anything that will spice things up!

[Des Little]

I am quite looking forward to seeing him march to the edge of the pitch barking orders and pointing.

Peter Grant was a great pointer and shouter. Its just that none of the players ever appeared to look at him

Grant was an imposter of the highest order.

[ozzjim]

I have not a clue how he will go as assistant, but there are 2-3 things that make it a decent appointment.

1. For every failing he has, the man can grow quality beards, for which he should be given a chance.

2. If ever there were a time when the manager needed a number 2 that enforced discipline into a style of play it is at Villa park

3. As said above, he puts us in the news and makes us look bigger, which can't hurt takeover hopes.

[pauliewalnuts]

1. For every failing he has, the man can grow quality beards, for which he should be given a chance.

As the wearer of a similar coloured, blackish greying beard, I have to say, that's a magnificent specimen he's sporting on the photos today.

Maximum respect.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

No idea what he will do, how or when, but as Newby says, he's ours now so I hope he becomes the best assistant there's ever been.
He still looks and talks mean and I hope he can instil a little steel into our teams, even if that's a bit of a predictable quality to land him with.
(Mr Lambert looks like he's been getting the pies down him - dietary consultant: Dr R Dunne?)