Who do you want the next Villa manager to be?

[in exile]

...Definitely a step in the right direction in terms of the more cerebral approach, but I think there are some question marks over his ability. Given our precarious position, this is a big gamble.

So it could be out of the frying pan, into the fire then

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He's just what we need. The players are going to be more excited than the fans if we manage to close the deal. Nine years too late in bringing in a manager of this ranking but better late than never. There's so much to admire about him but I read the other day he turned down the manager/head coach role at Lyon as he didn't think he was ready. Chancer he ain't.

The press are going to be in shock if we pull this off. Newcastle fans are going to be jumping off the Tyne bridge and Percy will be gloating at the 'art scene' in Birmingham.

Chuffing 'eck. An MK-approved (potential) managerial appointment. Truly end of days.

That was my 'meh' version. I'll be more than happy if we can get him. Obviously he needs to keep us up but with at least £100m coming in next season from the new TV we'll be in great hands. I also expect Lerner will give him whatever he needs in January. My only concern is for Saunders_Heroes but I'm sure it won't take him long to see that Lerner has finally found the right man, not that he won't remind us every 5 minutes just how bloody long it took him to eventually get there.*



*Love you really, S_H

[Yossarian]

No really, who is he?

[The Laughing Policeman]

No really, who is he?

Apparently he's some French bloke who is a pundit on Canal+. A bit like Robbie Savage.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

...Definitely a step in the right direction in terms of the more cerebral approach, but I think there are some question marks over his ability. Given our precarious position, this is a big gamble.

So it could be out of the frying pan, into the fire then

Frying pan - fire would have been appointing Moyes. It would have been a massive gamble to assume he could return to being the manager he was on a good day at Everton.

[Monty]

4th, 3rd and 5th, but on precisely zero monies and playing excellent stuff with children. Ligue 1 is not a winnable league for Lyon these days, but Garde saw them through a very tough transition and they are stronger for it. We are the guinea pig to discover exactly how good he is. In my opinion he is good, but let's see.

[Malandro]

I'd be comfortable with Pulis at the moment!

[Rudy65]

He's just what we need. The players are going to be more excited than the fans if we manage to close the deal. Nine years too late in bringing in a manager of this ranking but better late than never. There's so much to admire about him but I read the other day he turned down the manager/head coach role at Lyon as he didn't think he was ready. Chancer he ain't.

The press are going to be in shock if we pull this off. Newcastle fans are going to be jumping off the Tyne bridge and Percy will be gloating at the 'art scene' in Birmingham.

Chuffing 'eck. An MK-approved (potential) managerial appointment. Truly end of days.

That was my 'meh' version. I'll be more than happy if we can get him. Obviously he needs to keep us up but with at least £100m coming in next season from the new TV we'll be in great hands. I also expect Lerner will give him whatever he needs in January. My only concern is for Saunders_Heroes but I'm sure it won't take him long to see that Lerner has finally found the right man, not that he won't remind us every 5 minutes just how bloody long it took him to eventually get there.*



*Love you really, S_H

Great minds and great names, think alike. I agree with what you say Rudy.

I recall him being a reseve player at Arsenal during Wengers earlier years but dont know his background since. Have done a bit of research and he seems to be what we need.

Dont underestimate the Houllier effect either. We all assume he left under good terms in 2011 as his health was the only reason fior departing. Garde was assistant to Houlier at Lyon so you would hope we have sought the advise of Houlier whose opinion I would respect.

Looks good to me if we can get him

[Lastfootstamper]

...Definitely a step in the right direction in terms of the more cerebral approach, but I think there are some question marks over his ability. Given our precarious position, this is a big gamble.

So it could be out of the frying pan, into the fire then

I'd say we're already in the fire, first target is to get back in the frying pan. Is Garde the man to keep us up? Dunno, but what I do know is that I definitely don't know who unquestionably would.

[SamTheMouse]

...Definitely a step in the right direction in terms of the more cerebral approach, but I think there are some question marks over his ability. Given our precarious position, this is a big gamble.

So it could be out of the frying pan, into the fire then

Well let's put it this way, I would have been happer with the appointment if we were starting from a more solid base, because there's no doubt Garde is a step forward from your typical blood-and-guts British manager. If he is the target, then the board should be congratulated for casting their net a bit wider.

But we are up shit creek right now, and Garde has no experience whatsoever of relegation dogfights. He's going to be faced with a situation he's never been in before. And he's not hugely experienced in general.

[Toronto Villa]

4th, 3rd and 5th, but on precisely zero monies and playing excellent stuff with children. Ligue 1 is not a winnable league for Lyon these days, but Garde saw them through a very tough transition and they are stronger for it. We are the guinea pig to discover exactly how good he is. In my opinion he is good, but let's see.

reading a bit more about him he appears much more of a thinker too and is one of the reasons he gravitated to Wenger for advice. We certainly won't get the usual soundbites in press conferences and it would be as far removed from Sherwood as could be imagined.

[paul_e]

3 seasons as manager, sold a lot of good players and replaced them at a profit, won a cup, top 5 all 3 seasons and averaged 64 points per season.  I'm happy with his record and it honestly makes sense given our squad.  It might not work, all new managers are a risk, but I can see a clear thought process to this so I hope it happens now.

[Toronto Villa]

...Definitely a step in the right direction in terms of the more cerebral approach, but I think there are some question marks over his ability. Given our precarious position, this is a big gamble.

So it could be out of the frying pan, into the fire then

Well let's put it this way, I would have been happer with the appointment if we were starting from a more solid base, because there's no doubt Garde is a step forward from your typical blood-and-guts British manager. If he is the target, then the board should be congratulated for casting their net a bit wider.

But we are up shit creek right now, and Garde has no experience whatsoever of relegation dogfights. He's going to be faced with a situation he's never been in before. And he's not hugely experienced in general.

I wouldn't say we are in a relegation dogfight. We are in the relegation zone but at this stage of the season so much will change. It's a scrap when it gets to March and everyone is desperate for points. But it only takes a couple off wins and things start to change quickly.

[pauliewalnuts]

...Definitely a step in the right direction in terms of the more cerebral approach, but I think there are some question marks over his ability. Given our precarious position, this is a big gamble.

So it could be out of the frying pan, into the fire then

Well let's put it this way, I would have been happer with the appointment if we were starting from a more solid base, because there's no doubt Garde is a step forward from your typical blood-and-guts British manager. If he is the target, then the board should be congratulated for casting their net a bit wider.

But we are up shit creek right now, and Garde has no experience whatsoever of relegation dogfights. He's going to be faced with a situation he's never been in before. And he's not hugely experienced in general.

I wouldn't say we are in a relegation dogfight. We are in the relegation zone but at this stage of the season so much will change. It's a scrap when it gets to March and everyone is desperate for points. But it only takes a couple off wins and things start to change quickly.

Exactly.

We're bottom of the league, but it is still October. Plenty of time to turn things around if we appoint the right man.

[sickbeggar]

New poster here. Seems a terrible stab in the dark to me if true. A guy who has done a so-so job in a crappish league? Come on now. We need someone with experience of fighting a relegation battle in the Premier league because that's what we're in. At the least someone a bit battle hardened. The whole "he'll get the best out of the french players" gambit is just that. You don't need to be the same nationality as players to get the best out of them. Think we're down if true.