Next Manager Speculation and wishful thinking thread

[villa for life]

I can see the logic in giving Smith a bit more time if the person or people we want aren’t available. We do have a good squad and it’s not inconceivable that we’ll pick up points in the next couple of games once Luiz, Ings and others are back.

However, I think the longer we wait, the more likely it’ll end up being a short term/save us and get us out of this mess kind of appointment, which I still think is preferable to appointing a meh type of candidate on a long contract now.

If and when we do drop into the bottom three, I think that’ll really focus people’s minds and finding a manager to keep us up will become more of a priority than one who is chosen based on a long term project.

[Matt C]

The smart clubs get the replacement lined up before they let the incumbent leave. Hope we’ve already had some conversations and have a good plan ready to go; we’re about to find out…

[Toronto Villa]

Rumblings growing about the Danish head coach. I’m sure there will be others in the coming days. I just hate we are here yet again.

[darren woolley]

The next appointment needs to be spot on because we can't go through different managers again we need the right one to carry on the vision the owners have for us I really hope they have the right one lined up.

[PaulWinch again]

Right a statement of intent with this appointment please.

[Jon Crofts]

No pub league managers please - ie Not Stevie Me
No dream team managers - Terry & Fwank double act
No dinosaurs - Allardyce, Bruce, Pullis genre

Nas and Co need to get this one bang on the money.

[john e]

I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody is already lined up

[chrisw1]

I know nothing about the Danish manager we've been linked with other than he doesn't seem to have any club sucess.  Hiring him would feel to me a bit like buying average players from Belgium.  I hope we're aiming higher.

[Matt C]

Percy linking us to Gerrard and Hasenhuttl

[sickbeggar]

Dear god. Two dreary unimaginative names there.

[PaulWinch again]

Hassenhuttl is excellent. He’d do a great job at a club with more resources.

[chrisw1]

Funny how Southampton fans wanted rid of Hasenhuttl not long ago.  He's got as many losses as us in 2021 han't he?

[nigel]

I reckon we’ve already got someone lined up and he’ll be in place next week.

[Ger Regan]

Hasenhuttl would be underwhelming for me. Not exactly brilliant with Southampton and a few really terrible beatings in there too. Not familiar enough with his time in Germany to state whether he has sufficient promise.

[KNVillan]

Percy linking us to Gerrard and Hasenhuttl

https://twitter.com/telefootball/status/1457347239211409412?s=21

Aston Villa have parted company with manager Dean Smith.

The Telegraph can reveal that the club are looking at an appointment of Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl among others. The current Rangers and Southampton managers are high on the Villa wishlist as they seek to make an appointment before the Premier League resumes the weekend after next.

Smith was told of the decision by the club’s owners Nassef Sawiris, an Egyptian national, and American Wes Edens and chief executive Christian Purslow. The defeat to Hasenhuttl’s Southampton on Friday night was the fifth consecutive defeat of a season that has so far seen Villa thrust into a relegation fight despite major owner investment.

The ownership group as well as Danish sporting director Johan Lange met on Saturday night to discuss options. Lange is known to be an admirer of fellow Danes Kasper Hjulmand, the Denmark manager, and Brentford manager Thomas Frank. Paulo Fonseca is another candidate who is currently unattached.

Edens is based in the Midwest US state of Wyoming. Sawiris is based primarily in London.

Gerrard has a contract with Rangers until the summer of 2024 and is considered a major asset by the club. He has a connection from Purslow from their days at Liverpool together.

Hasenhuttl’s bond with Southampton is strong. The club’s chief executive Martin Semmens has stood by his manager through some tough periods including two 9-0 defeats and been rewarded for his loyalty with Premier League survival and stability this season so far. Nevertheless, Saints will not progress until they can find an owner to buy out Gao Jisheng.

Villa head into a critical period after the international break. Currently 13th on ten points they play Brighton at home a week on Saturday; Crystal Palace away and then Manchester City and Leicester City at home.