Next Villa manager

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Tony Xia announces the new manager:

Aston Villa chairman Tony Xia hopes to see Bruce replicate Hull's entertaining playing style at Villa Park.

He said: "Steve's football philosophy is directly in line with that of the club; he fits for what we need.

"It is new departure for us. He will be head coach; he is the club's final appointment from inside the UK and Ireland and he brings a new approach and new ideas.

"In his own words, and as we hope will be seen in practice, his playing style echoes the one that has brought Hull City such success over the last few years.

"Although the players are different, there are few fans who have watched that style in action and not found it enthralling to watch. I believe that will excite our fans.

"He also understands and believes in the club’s plan of producing and developing its own players. That was a major part of his job in charge of Hull City."

More here.

“His approach is a winning one. He is a Head Coach that sets his teams up on the front foot to win matches. He is up for the challenge of making Aston Villa a success on the pitch in the Sky Bet Championship."

“When we spoke with Steve, his knowledge of our squad was impressive and he already has firm ideas of where he wants to develop it going forward.

"He is very passionate and totally committed.

"He lives and breathes football and that fits the club."

"I’m sure the events of the last week, coupled with the appointment of a Geordie Head Coach not new to the English Championship, will have surprised many people.

“There is definitely an element of risk to this, but that can be managed and I firmly believe this is the right direction for the club to go in. I hope this appointment will reinvigorate us, bring excitement and allow us to make a big stride forward.”

[Tayls_7]

It's a sorry state of affairs that we've gotten ourselves into for Bruce to be considered to be the best candidate for the job.

Yes that's right OCD. We've been utter shite for the past 6 seasons and now find ourselves languishing in the lower reaches of the second tier. It's fair to say Real Madrid aren't shitting themselves about our chances of reclaiming our European title quite yet. Well spotted.

[sickbeggar]

Well i find it all a bit bizarre taking on a manager who's chief supporters won't mind him getting the boot once we're in the premier. With friends like that,,,,,,,,

[kippaxvilla2]

I really don't understand that post Rudes.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I really don't understand that post Rudes.

Hope. It's what keep bringing us back. Something PWS mentioned a couple of pages back.

[PaulWinch again]

Well i find it all a bit bizarre taking on a manager who's chief supporters won't mind him getting the boot once we're in the premier. With friends like that,,,,,,,,

Not really it's a case of what's best for Aston Villa. To my mind if Bruce gets us up this year or next it's worthwhile. He wouldn't be my dream choice obviously, but at the moment if he gets results I'll take that.

[kippaxvilla2]

Several high-profile names have approached the club in the past 48 hours but the Championship promotion specialist is certain to be offered the job

Steve-Bruce-Aston-Villa-badge-main.jpg
It will take a major U-turn from Villa to stop Bruce getting the job now
Steve Bruce will be confirmed as Aston Villa’s new manager this week, writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People.

Former Manchester United Double-winner Bruce has spoken to fallen giants Villa 's technical director Steve Round and is now certain to be offered the job.

In the last 48 hours, the Championship club have been contacted by several high-profile bosses making desperate late bids to be considered.

But only a late U-turn by the former European champions' top brass can prevent 55-year-old Bruce from becoming Roberto Di Matteo’s successor.

Aston Villa FC via Getty
Summer appointment Di Matteo is already gone with relegated Villa struggling again
On Friday, Villa whittled down the applicants to just two – Bruce and their current assistant manager Steve Clarke.

The Scot - currently in caretaker charge - is well regarded by the players, but Bruce has far greater experience.

Hull's promotion in May was the FOURTH time since 2002 that the 55-year-old has led a team up from the second tier.

Getty
Championship promotion expert Bruce (right) has steered Hull and Birmingham up twice each
While Clarke could find himself being kept on, Bruce has already spoken to close aides about roles in his backroom team.

Round’s recommendation to owner Dr Tony Xia and chief executive Keith Wyness should meet with little resistance.

Ross McCormack looks dejected after having his penalty saved BPI/REX/Shutterstock
Rock-bottom and relegated last season, Villa have won just once so far in the Championship
Chinese billionaire Xia remains keen for his boss to have a profile in the Far East and, as a former Manchester United star, Bruce certainly ticks that box.

If the terms of a contract can be thrashed out quickly, the Geordie will take charge for next weekend’s derby against Wolves.

[adrenachrome]

I really don't understand that post Rudes.

Follow the link in the middle of the post and you will see that it is satirical.

[kippaxvilla2]

yes I did but still didn't get it.  But I am from Kings Norton.

Anyway, Bruce wants Steve Agnew as Assistant apparently.

[Toronto Villa]

Well i find it all a bit bizarre taking on a manager who's chief supporters won't mind him getting the boot once we're in the premier. With friends like that,,,,,,,,

First, I don't think he has any chief supporters. Just those who consider him the best option of those we might realistically be able to get in the space of a week. Second, if he is appointed I don't want him fired. Because hopefully he's doing a superb job. However, what I think will happen is that we will get promoted and Bruce will take us to a certain level and it will plateau. Then if Xia still has ambition he'll remove Bruce appoint someone to take us forward.

[PaulWinch again]

Well i find it all a bit bizarre taking on a manager who's chief supporters won't mind him getting the boot once we're in the premier. With friends like that,,,,,,,,

First, I don't think he has any chief supporters. Just those who consider him the best option of those we might realistically be able to get in the space of a week. Second, if he is appointed I don't want him fired. Because hopefully he's doing a superb job. However, what I think will happen is that we will get promoted and Bruce will take us to a certain level and it will plateau. Then if Xia still has ambition he'll remove Bruce appoint someone to take us forward.

My view exactly.

[kippaxvilla2]

This is an interesting snippet from the Mail On Sunday especially about Di Matteo's style.

Di Matteo, who won the Champions League as Chelsea manager in 2012, was well liked by the players but his low-key style failed to gather a response on the pitch, with the Italian leaving it until Monday morning before addressing the players after a poor result.

While Bruce is also regarded as approachable and wants his players to express themselves rather than stick to a strict coaching manual, he is seen as a more demonstrative figure who demands maximum effort from his players.

Villa have also looked at Brentford’s up-and-coming manager Dean Smith.

[sickbeggar]

well i can see a lot of transfer activity in January if he comes, because Nan's hair won't want half RDM's players or the likes of Grealish.

Hang on a sec, its not all bad news

[adrenachrome]

Torygraph

Steve Bruce edging towards Aston Villa manager's job

John Percy
8 October 2016 • 10:30pm

Steve Bruce is inching closer towards the Aston Villa job and will be formally interviewed in the next 48 hours.

Bruce has been identified as Villa's leading target and is set to have talks with the club's board in the coming days, ahead of a possible appointment before the weekend. The 55-year-old is available after leaving Hull City on the eve of the season and has already had preliminary talks with Villa's technical director Steve Round and chief executive Keith Wyness.

Villa are thought to have discussed potential backroom staff - with Middlesbrough's Steve Agnew likely to be a Bruce target - and the budget for the January transfer window.

And Bruce will now be interviewed for the post after Villa whittled down their shortlist to two, with caretaker manager Steve Clarke the other contender.

Dr Tony Xia, the Villa owner, will make the final decison but it seems increasingly likely that Bruce will end his exile by joining the Championship club. A former player and manager for Villa's deadly enemies Birmingham, Bruce could prove a contentious appointment wth some supporters but it is nine years since he left St. Andrew's and his record of four promotions has ensured he is the stand-out candidate.

Villa had also considered Burnley's Sean Dyche and Huddersfield Town's David Wagner but Bruce was always considered a top target, after the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo. Round, who was appointed last month, is also revamping the club's scouting department and is keen to appoint a new head of recruitment.


Many of Villa's previous scouting staff - who worked under the maligned Paddy Riley - have left the club but Round has been charged with improving the infrastructure behind the scenes.

Villa return to action this weekend with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers desperate for lift-off, after just one win all season.

[sickbeggar]

Looking naikled on then. He's shit. If the answer's Steve Bruce you're asking the wrong question.