Bruce Sacked at last (now official)

[mr underhill]

so is staying?

[paul_e]

I thought bringing in Bruce was the "get us up this season at all costs" option? He and we have failed in that objective, I think this is the perfect time to properly rebuild Villa, introduce and keep a footballing ethos and identity and move forwards for once. No more scraping it. Build something lasting with a manager who gets that.

The perfect time was two years ago but get your point and fully agree especially "for once".

Yep, me too, my argument against Bruce all along is that he plays an entirely different style to our U23, academy and youth sides so he isn't going to bring the kids through because they just don't play his game. We have a fairly consistent approach through all those levels so the next step is to replicate that in the first team which Bruce will never do. I wanted RDM to be that type of manager (he's never been anywhere long enough to really know if he can do that sort of rebuild job) but his failure to get the mentality right and his mistakes with rebuilding the midfield did for him but the worst thing we could've done after that was to go straight back to the 'old school' because it was an admission that getting back up at the first opportunity was more important than fixing the problems in the club.  To miss out on that and then double-down on the mistake by giving Bruce another year created the short-termism that means we're losing half our team again. If they decide to carry on with it then all it really proves is that this lot are as clueless about modern football as Lerner was and that we might as well get used to being, at best, a yo-yo club.

[footyskillz]

We didn't struggle coz of lack of quality players. Far form that. We struggled because of the lack of tactical nous. And that what still wrangles me. Especially with all the speculation about grealish and the decent players being sold.
It's devastating this and hard to feel positive after what Bruce didn't manager to achieve.
I was sceptical about him taking us up and despite him seeming like a decent bloke as well as truly awful personal loss Xia needs to be ruthless.

I not sure why more wasn't done at coaching level to make sure the quality of the players were used to advantage.

It angers and irks me to think another year at least of championship football.

[Axl Rose]

'How Fergie and Co shaped Osorio'

http://www.skysports.com/share/11376001

Seems an interesting managerial option.

[frank black]

Looks like we go with Bruce for a third season according to Tony. Makes sense from a financial perspective I guess.

[curiousorange]

Looks like we go with Bruce for a third season according to Tony. Makes sense from a financial perspective I guess.

Probably cheaper to maintain the status quo (and with a manager who has referred to working under constraints a number of times) than pay up a year's wages and then have to pay compensation to another club.

[David_Nab]

Don't sense that myself , alot of platitudes but nothing definitive.

Quite frankly how can a manager who spent so much and failed be kept on with spending restricted.. 

[Walmley_Villa]

Wonder if Bruce will want to work under the constraints? It gives him an even smaller margin to get things right before the fans turn?
Can't see us needing both Calderwood and Agnew? I expect the backroom to be culled a bit. If I'm honest Agnew has impressed me so I would hope he stays if Bruce does.
The Dr's statement is a bit concerning I must confess but surely we have planned for it as top 2 was only occasionally in our sights.

[Three Spires Villa]

Dr Tony talks about changes and thanks Steve. If he is stopping why not just say it? Strange message, maybe Bruce has said he is going to resign? Just say if he is going or say he is stopping

[paul_e]

I'm not sure, thanking him twice and then talking about changing our thinking isn't a huge endorsement for me.

[garyshawsknee]

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I read that as SB going.

[Three Spires Villa]

So do i

[curiousorange]

Wonder if Bruce will want to work under the constraints? It gives him an even smaller margin to get things right before the fans turn?
Can't see us needing both Calderwood and Agnew? I expect the backroom to be culled a bit. If I'm honest Agnew has impressed me so I would hope he stays if Bruce does.
The Dr's statement is a bit concerning I must confess but surely we have planned for it as top 2 was only occasionally in our sights.

We didn't need Calderwood when we nicked him off Brighton!

[Clampy]

I read it and I wasn't sure. I read it again and I saw it as Bruce staying and some tough decisions being made on the playing side.

[ozzjim]

I read it as a fond farewell. Looking at it again, with the timing on Terry going too, I think Bruce isn't far behind and whoever comes in will be with a remit to coach a side and Round will do the buying etc. We will see, but I reckon that's the direction we are heading.