Welcome Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke

[kippaxvilla2]

Are they actually confirmed?  I haven't seen anything on the OS.

[Legion]

I like this. A lot.

[ExclDawg]

No photos of them angrily stretching the shirt while on the pitch yet ... so not confirmed.

[class-of-82]

Welcome guys superb appointments
I feel like Homer Simpson does when he gets hands on a duff beer and blueberry pie

Woohoo

[Chris Harte]

Welcome Di Matteo.

Not my first choice, but we'll get behind you as long as you give us hope.

[paul_e]

I'm really happy with this, RDM has generally seemed to get his teams looking to attack and score goals, Clarke has done really well as assistant and has loads of experience as well.  Add Marchesi who has a superb reputation as a fitness coach and we're a long way towards getting that bit right, another coach or 2 (Newton would be excellent) and a GK coach and we'll be set.

As a whole it shows a lot more ambition than going for someone like Pearson and for me is a good sign that we're moving in the right direction.

[Mister E]

The Steve Clarke appointment is interesting and very welcome.

This is the really important bit for me: a bloke recognised as a top coach by those who've worked with him, going back to what he does best - coach.

[Mister E]

Welcome to Villa!

Wonder if they would of saved us if they were appointed instead of Garde?

We wouldn't have had the £££ for them to spend, and would they have wanted to have joined a 'Lerner project'?

[brian green]

What also pleases me greatly is that that package has not come cheap.  A good sign that serious money will be spent.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The Steve Clarke appointment is interesting and very welcome.

This is the really important bit for me: a bloke recognised as a top coach by those who've worked with him, going back to what he does best - coach.

Same here. Credit to RDM for inviting him and respect to Clarke for taking the job.

[cheltenhamlion]

What also pleases me greatly is that that package has not come cheap.  A good sign that serious money will be spent.

Agreed.

[ldavfc4eva]

Agree with Brian, the two of these guys together are proven. I imagine Clarke as the man who works with the squad day to day at the training ground whilst RDM will oversee everything and select the squad for the match days. May be wrong on that of course.

Clarke comes across as a no nonsense sort of bloke so hope he makes sure the dross that we have in the squad are cleared out sooner rather than later.

Feel ever so slightly happy and relieved we have appointed these two to be honest.

Welcome

[wittonwarrior]

What is so good is even if Roberto struggles then he has a proper back up team to support him.  Can't see the players taking the michael with Clarke. 

Welcome to the Villa all of you.

[fredm]

Yep, think Clarke will be the one who has the influence of what happens in the dressing rooms at BH and will principally be the main man on the training pitch, allowing RDM to review tactics etc.

Now it just needs the boardroom to be inhabited by people with the same credentials.  I would not be averse to seeing Bernstein and King returning.

[VillaAlways]

Understand Eddie Newton will not be joining @AVFCOfficial and that Clarke was Di Matteo's choice,not foisted on him. Wise. Hard worker.

Pat Murphy just tweeted