Manager: Roberto's own thread

[smetro]

Not a fan of this appointment - wrong man for me. But Guess he now deserves his own thread !

[Guest]

Not a fan of this appointment - wrong man for me. But Guess he now deserves his own thread !

Assuming the bbc report is accurate (not confirmed as yet), then the appointment of Steve Clark could be a master stroke. lways been a better No2 than boss in my opinion.

[De Kuip]

Got to be honest, if those guys were appointed when we were a prem team I'd have been pleased. For a championship club we should be thanking our lucky stars. Yes it may not work but bloody hell at least I've got some real optimism for once.
Bring it on!!!!!

[Lammypaul]

I don’t think anything is guaranteed with any manager but if reports are correct regarding the manager and assistant I’ll be happy.

[Mr_Spadge]

I'm wondering if he's going to start with the usual "all players have a clean slate" or if he's going to have watched some games from last season and decided who needs chucked.

Maybe both...

[Trotters]

Cheers for starting this thread, smetro!

Spadge, I seem to recall him saying that he's aware that there are significant changes to be made (on and off field) so I'll be stunned if he's instructed RDM to give them all a chance.

"Roberto, it's your team so I won't dictate but let me just randomly point my finger whilst saying "he's a sugarbag, he's a sugarbag, he's a sugarbag" and I'll leave it up to you what you do next"

[De Kuip]

Personally I'd be glad if Roberto did obtain some clean slates, tilted them so the sun glinted off the sharp edge, and then buried them with all his might into the heads of the wage stealers that we all had to witness wandering aimlessly about the pitch last season not giving a fuck because they had new cars and clown clothes to go back to once they'd fucked up yet another fixture.
Oh yes, that's the kind of clean slate I'll be looking for......

[4BetLite]

RDM confirmed along with Clarke, game on, lets do this

[danclare82]

Nothing bout clarke on OS

[jeffvilla]

Step 1 get a manager tick.

Step 2 get the rabble playing like a team.

Step 3 win the championship  outright

Well 1 out of three isn't bad.

[DaveAV1]

Fair play smetro for starting this thread even though you're not a RDM fan. I hope you become one soon

[The Utterer]

On SSN yellow bar now "breaking news" Aston Villa appoint RDM as manager on 2 year deal.

[Guest]

First signing RDM made as Chelsea boss....Eden Hazard!

Just Saying

[1Elliot]

First signing RDM made as Chelsea boss....Eden Hazard!

Just Saying

But they didn't have Reilly heading up scouting.....

[Guest]

First signing RDM made as Chelsea boss....Eden Hazard!

Just Saying

But they didn't have Reilly heading up scouting.....

Very true!

He actually signed Hazard, Oscar and Azpilecueta that summer!

[Wriggle]

On the official site now also!

Welcome Roberto

Here

[Cha Ching]

I'm surprised that Clarke was not mentioned at the same time. That may well have a bit to go yet and may be why this has been known about for days without an official announcement. They were probably hoping to have tied both up but maybe the deal with Clarke will drag on for another while, so they just announce Roberto before the weekend hoping to tie up the loose ends on Clarke.

[Boldfinger]

Right then now we have our man in place can we start running a book as to which of the useless twats from last season are first out the door - I would like to see a flash sale - buy one get 2 free - gabby, lescott, Bacuna.
All the best roberto and above all may you restore some pride into our club.

[Villa Ranger]

Apparently RDM will be joined by fitness coach Massimiliano Marchesi. I was imagining him meeting Gabby for the first time:

MARCHESI:  Aaahhh, the faymous 'Flabby Agabonlahora'!!! How ya doin mayte??

FLABBY:  Yer ah fink errrm......alroight boss.

MARCHESI:  Listen mayte, you look a like you been eating da balloon sandwiches! Give-a-me twenty laps!!!

FLABBY:  Yer ah fink errrm......ya wot boss?! Twenny laps o Bodymoor 'eath??!!

MARCHESI:  No!! Twenty laps of-a-Birmingham!!! ANDIAMO!!!

[Dgrizzle7]

Great appointment IMO!!!!

[NARLA24]

Cool as fuck. Bring it on!!!!!!

[avfc forever]

Welcome RDM and Steve Clarke.

[Trotters]

Aston Villa: Why Steve Clarke is the perfect No.2 for Roberto Di Matteo

14:40, 3 JUN 2016 UPDATED 14:47, 3 JUN 2016
BY GREGG EVANS

The former Albion and Reading manager will be confirmed as the assistant manager to Di Matteo


Steve Clarke and Roberto Di Matteo

Steve Clarke will fit into a No.2 role with ease - it’s why Roberto Di Matteo pushed so hard to add him to his team at Aston Villa .

The tried and trusted assistant manager has worked with some of the best managers in the land and will bring vital knowledge and experience with him to the Midlands.

But why he is so respected and why is he seen as such an important addition?

Gregg Evans reports...



PLAYING CAREER
Clarke was a two-club man, making over 200 appearances for Scottish side St Mirren before spending 11 years at Chelsea.

During his time with the Scum he won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

NO.2 EXPERIENCE
Is there a better assistant out there? If so, you’d be pushed to find one.

Clarke worked with Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri at Chelsea where he picked up on their meticulous ways and moulded them into his own way of working.



TIME IN MANAGEMENT
Albion (June 2012-December 2013) - 60 games
Reading (December 2014-December 2015) - 53 games

WHAT'S HE LIKE AT WORK?
Comfortable in his surroundings at at his happiest when he’s out on the training field. Clarke is calm, studious and intelligent.

He’s good at relating to players on a one-to-one basis and is very thorough when planning training sessions. In some ways he’s a disciplinarian but not in an overly-aggressive way.

Clarke’s likeable personality allows him to build a rapport with the players but also earn their respect.

He sets high standards and will combine with Di Matteo to get results through good man-management rather than fear. He puts the trust in his players and expects them to re-pay it.

RELATIONSHIP WITH ROBERTO
The pair know each other from their time at Chelsea and have remained friends since.

Make no mistake, they’re not the best of buddies but they have a respect for each other and similar views on the game.

In recent years they’ve kept in touch and Di Matteo pushed hard to get his former team-mate on board at Villa.

Both are studious and hungry to succeed.

They also enjoy the tactical side of the game and are not afraid to go against their own personal playing style in hunt of glory.

[smetro]

Is the Clark the 'hard' man of the duo then ? /irony !

[Fpuppys]

Looks like the good Dr did his homework, some very good quotes from former players and managers about RDM:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5620403,00.html

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