Neil Critchley - Former Assistant Head Coach

[OCD]

Apparently it's been known for some time that Beale harboured ambitions of being a number one and it was discussed when we brought him over from Rangers. Probably no surprise that Gerrard had people in mind in the event, it just happens that he was able to get his first choice.

[LeeB]

i don’t think you can underestimate the power of being able to take a manager from championship side (whilst in post) to become an assistant manager at a premier league club that finished bottom half. If Neil was the guy the club wanted, a lot of credit is due to securing him and at speed. Welcome Neil.

Thank you, glad to be here.

Lol, welcome Neil

[dave shelley]

I wonder if I've been over thinking this a little bit?  Could this appointment, although necessary, be some very long-term planning for when SG eventually moves on to his dream job when Klopp calls it a day and Villa have improved beyond recognition?  NC has the coaching credentials with the added bonus of a successful stint as a championship manager.  It would be an example of the Liverpool system of promoting from within without too much revamping of the backroom staff, A smooth transition.

I didn't sleep well last night as you can see!

Roy Evans was the last time Liverpool promoted from within...30 years ago!

Houllier, Benitez, Hodgson, Dalglish (demotion from the board of directors), Rodgers and Klopp since.

I was tired.

[TonyD]

I'm sure the fans were absolutely delighted when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor rocked up at Derby from Hartlepool and look how that turned out.

Sorry not comparable to today’s game. 
But hope I’m wrong.

You usually are to be fair.

Interesting.  I think we have had the same view on all the previous managers.  Until SG rocked up. 

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

For me this is a positive appointment. I'm excited by Critchley arriving, which is a first since last November. He has pedigree. He has good qualifications. He has worked himself up to this position including managing a team in the Championship (no easy task). 
People I know with Blackpool connections rate him highly including Villa fans, who visit the area regularly. It's clear that he just doesn't know how to coach, but he also knows how to manage people. He also has good knowledge of youth players, which is encouraging regarding our good crop of youngsters coming through. I think Critchley could be quite instrumental in Villa making real progress.
Welcome and UTV!

[LeonW]

i don’t think you can underestimate the power of being able to take a manager from championship side (whilst in post) to become an assistant manager at a premier league club that finished bottom half. If Neil was the guy the club wanted, a lot of credit is due to securing him and at speed. Welcome Neil.

Thank you, glad to be here.

What are your plans for improving the finishing of our strikers?

[Dante Lavelli]

Typically a manager leaves following an extended period of poor results.  Feasibly/Fingers crossed Gerrard will leave because he’s done an excellent job and Liverpool are desperate to appoint him.  In that circumstance, business as usual, and the appointment of Critchley might be the best solution.

Plan B/Succession planning might be villa’s thinking so justifies the pay rise.

[rob_bridge]

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

[CT Villan]

Dare we start to believe that the people running the club might actually know what they're doing ?

[Clampy]

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

Don't know that one. When did he write that?

[Beard82]

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

Don't know that one. When did he write that?

It’s was the b side to midsummer nights dream

[Border villan]

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

Met his sister once.

[TonyD]

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

Met his sister once.

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

Met his sister once.

Seems like  positive coup though I thought same with Shakespeare.

Do your best

Met his sister once.

Shakespears Sister?😆

[eamonn]

Interesting that Critchley prefers wingers to a diamon system I'm midfield. Maybe there's scope still for Traore and Bailey to shine on the flanks.

[Astnor]

Interesting that Critchley prefers wingers to a diamon system I'm midfield. Maybe there's scope still for Traore and Bailey to shine on the flanks.

Will be interesting to see then what kind of system(s) the combo of Gerrard/Critchley manage to put out