The next Villa Manager

deadbuzzardalive wrote:Bruce and Clarke on the list and others who are in employment. Bit surprised to see that Clarke is being considered.

ember wrote:I don't want Clarke around any longer than necessary. To my mind Clarke is to RDM what Wilkins was to Sherwood. Don't know what positive impact he has had and doesn't seem to do shit on matchday.

I'd be happier if Murphy was explicitly ruling out a few more jokers. Like Dirty Harry, Shoulderchip Ince, Potato Head. We've got football expertise in place and we have vision and ambition from an owner who, I think, knows what he doesn't know. Hopefully, their combined wisdom, financial muscle and status of the club will allow us to pull off a real coup.

4BetLite wrote:Missed it DK. Not on twatter......  Any links available would be appreciated

AstonThriller wrote:The Nathan Jones link has been mocked by some but looking at his record at Brighton he served as assistant manager under Oscar Garcia and was first team coach under Chris Hughton. He's now gone to Luton and as we saw first hand he's got that team playing for him. And as well as beating us he beat a Premiership team not long ago as well. They are currently right in the mix for promotion too.

I doubt he's top of the list but if they have looked at him I'd imagine that's down to Round's depth of knowledge.

Aston Villa's crisis shows no sign of ending. Roberto di Matteo has been sacked after just 12 games in charge and there is no outstanding candidate lined up to replace him. Villa, who sit 19th in the Championship, have continued their tradition of allowing managers to spend big in the transfer window only to be relieved of their duty early in the season - leaving the club in total disarray.

Owner Tony Xia played it fairly safe with his first managerial appointment, but has since complained on Twitter that "very limited time and choices" was to blame for his poor selection. It is quite possible that his boundless optimism will see the likes of Roberto Mancini approached, but since Villa have only won four of their last 51 league matches it is far more likely that Villa will end up with Steve Bruce - the clear front runner at this time.

Steve Bruce - Evens
An underwhelming choice, Steve Bruce would be arguably the safest option for Villa but one that would be very unpopular with the fans. Bruce has an excellent track record as a manager and has won promotion to the Premier League on three occasions - but one of these was with Villa's rivals Birmingham City.

The last time an ex-Blues manager was appointed it ended disastrously. Alex McLeish was booed frequently by the home fans and his role quickly became untenable; Xia may find a similar reaction on Twitter - where he is very vocal and communicative with fans - should he approach Bruce.

Tactically, Bruce is a fairly conservative manager who prioritises defensive solidity. This is exactly what Villa need; their excellent attack has been undermined this season by conceding sloppy goals in the final five minutes.#


David Wagner - 7/4
The Guardian have reported that David Wagner is Aston Villa's first choice, but he may not wish to drop down after leading Huddersfield to the top of the Championship. Having been at the club for less than a year Wagner is at the beginning of his project, which could mean the club do not allow Villa to even contact him.

Wagner's success at Huddersfield is even more impressive given that it is his first senior job in management. He was part of Jurgen Klopp's team at Dortmund, managing their reserves for four years.


Dean Smith - 5/1
Lifelong Villa fan Dean Smith has already publicly distanced himself from the job, although this response is to be expected before the club make any contact with him. His Brentford side sit 7th in the Championship after collecting 18 points from their first 11 matches, and so dropping down to Villa's level would be something of a gamble for the 45-year-old.

Smith built his reputation during a five-year stint as manager of Walsall, in which he took the League One club from the foot of the table to play-off hopefuls on a tiny budget. He is renowned for his fluid, possession-based football and this would surely impress Xia. That he has experience in turning around a struggling club certainly works to his advantage - and a big contract offer from Villa might be too tempting to refuse. He is well worth a small bet at 6/1.


Steve Clarke - 7/1
Steve Clark has been handed caretaker duties at Villa whilst Xia searches for a replacement, and since the club do not have anyone lined up he could get several games in charge. If he bags a couple of wins, the job will most likely be his.
Clark enjoyed a very impressive 18 months in charge of West Brom before being unfairly sacked in 2013, and has only had one short managerial role since then. He led Reading to the FA Cup semi-final in 2014 but was sacked in December that year after a poor start to the new season.
However, Villa's next match is not for 12 days and thus Clark may not get the chance to prove himself to the club's hierarchy. At 7/1, it is probably not worth backing unless the Bruce rumours quieten down.


Simon Grayson - 10/1
Ex-Villa player Simon Grayson has been linked with this job on numerous occasions over the last few years, and with good reason. Grayson has won promotions with all four of the clubs he has managed, the latest being Preston North End - who beat Villa 2-0 on Saturday.
His excellent work at Blackpool and Leeds United deserves more recognition, and Villa is arguably the perfect job for him to prove his worth. Grayson is an exciting manager with the expertise to guide Villa into the Premier League and beyond.

However, he was not approached by the club in July despite being available, which probably means that Xia is not interested in the 46-year-old.


Lee Johnson - 9/1
Lee Johnson's appearance on Xia's potential shortlist shows how small the talent pool is for Villa. Johnson has achieved mild success at Oldham and Barnsley, and his Bristol City side are currently 5th in the Championship.
Johnson would be a very surprising choice given that he has never achieved promotion, specialising instead in converting relegation candidates into mid-table sides. It also seems unlikely that he would leave Bristol City whilst things are going so well. Don't back him to get the job at 9/1.

Odds correct as of 13:00 Monday

4BetLite wrote:If we sign bruce its the final nail in the coffin that we have sunk to the same level as our local rivals ............... fuck that, we are ASTON VILLA.

Villa_Dan wrote:

We are also 2 point off the relegation zone in 19th. The Villa name means about as much as the Leeds United name does in modern football. Regardless of how much money we spent in the summer.