TheEgo

18 minutes ago, GingerCollins29 said:

Gerrard, if appointed, may do gfeat, may be terrible. I'll back him regardless.

The most dissapointing thing is that this whole thing smacks of Purslow helping his mate get an audition for the plop job. I dont think AVFC features as the priority here at all.

Nonsense. Purslow owns shares in Villa (part of the criteria to him being appointed) so I don't see him just doing a favour to a mate. It just doesn't make sense. We need to try and be rational about this 

58 minutes ago, blandy said:

Also fair.

I think my comments aren't really about whatever contract length we give a manager, it's about the philosophy of the club's leadership group. I mean they bought the club, including an inherited manager, who they got rid of in October, after the summer takeover. They had an aim of promotion in 2 years and stay up and then push on. That plan was met, arguably ahead of schedule. They've now potted the manager who did that (because results etc.) . That's not something I personally liked, but I understand it.

The reservation is that they've acted in haste rather than according to longer term thinking and an acceptance that there will be bumps in the road. That the money and ambition have rubbed up against a reality in a massively competitive league and they've over-reacted to the real world circumstances as soon as their ambitions and plans started to go awry. It's their right to do that, it's their club, their money, their employees. I'm uneasy around the thinking though, I'm uneasy about the time they have to get a nee man in, or if they even have a plan around replacing Dean in this 2 weeks with someone who genuinely fits their objectives, that led to them sacking Dean.

Maybe they'll feel they were reluctantly forced into it and had no choice. That the evidence around there being a change needed has been gathering for all of this year. Others would maybe say the circumstances around the pre-season and first 10 games are far from all at the feet of Dean Smith, and that while he was struggling to solve the problems caused by those circumstances, he's carried the can for wider issues and a new manager won't fix those underlying issues and getting someone in to do a short term job is the way to lose money and embed instability. Chelsea make that work (at considerable financial cost) , most other clubs don't. I think we need a longer term manager than the next cab off the rank who will be gone in a couple of years, and the process the club goes through to get them needs to be considered and thorough, not a panic move.

 

We often hear of managers needing several teams. Im sure Villa said at some point we needed 3 teams, one to get promoted, one to stabilise us in the premier league and another to push on. I can't see why these can't include a head coach/manager. I feel Smith had a ceiling, I thought it 3 years ago. I said to myself, he will get us up and then we may need someone to take us a little further and so it became to be. I really think we need to view managers like we do players, ie Hourihane, a cracking player but not quite Premier League level, so you move him on and try to get better. 

1 hour ago, TrentVilla said:

I don’t disagree but then given the stat I quoted previously and the rapidly increasing salaries of managers I’d ask does it make sense to appoint managers on 4 or 5 year contracts? I’d argue not and would point at the 18 month deal (with options to extend) Spurs appointed Conte on a few weeks ago.

As you rightly say football management is different to it used to be, it is segmented and I think “head coaches” in ones where clubs are run well are more interchangeable than old school authoritarian managers were.

I think if they appoint Gerrard they are doing so in the knowledge of the spectre of Liverpool but with the belief he still help them get the club where they wish to be. I think that is a fairly pragmatic approach and reflective of what the modern role of a head coach is.

Obviously I’d rather that we appoint someone who gives us continuity over a prolonged period but I’m not really sure that is how football is now.

I get your concern over short termism but would argue they tried to give Bruce time, I think they gave Smith time although accept others think different and would give Gerrard time. That external circumstance may cut that short isn’t a reflection on those running the club or how they are doing so but I accept that in appointing Gerrard they would be accepting that possibility. 

I guess though my point remains, I think all managers are on relatively short term appointments regardless of the length of the contract. 

spot on for me. Give a manager 18 mths to 2 years with the option to extend, performance depending. I guess like players, the incoming guy holds the power to a degree. 

5 minutes ago, IrishVilla10 said:

A rangers podcast has commented saying there’s been no contact been made (I find that hard to believe). I just want this nonsense over with 

Far more inclined to believe the "we've not made contact" I don't think he is our man, a red herring, like Henry. 

20 minutes ago, sparrow1988 said:

What's whispers saying on this?

Whispers is 100% BS guesses and occasionally guesses right. Never rely on him

29 minutes ago, ReasonforRevolution said:

I'm always sceptical of Twitter in the knows. But the account that's reporting on Gerrard has got plenty right recently. They reported Mings getting dropped the day before the game. Then the Dean Smith sacking a few days before the actual event. They're saying Gerrard announced Friday. Highest paid Villa manager ever and a big budget in January. Compensation with Rangers agreed. Not sure, it's true, but as I say, they've got a few Tweets right over the last few weeks. That said, if I had that insider knowledge I'd be on Bet 365 not Twitter so we'll see.

Can I ask who this is? as in his @

1 hour ago, SeanVilla said:

What’s the actual truth on the Henry being offered the job? Howard Hodgson who’s very well connected to the club said we did offer the job and he turned us down. He has no reason to lie. 

Not sure Henry was ever really a possibility. I know HH and I trust him. I do know that Purslow was high on Eddie Howe. Which suggests he wants a young manager who can coach really well to get results and playing attractive football. 

I have no idea if we want Gerard however I could guess that whoever we do want we've already spoken too. Rangnick would be my choice along with a couple of others. Favre seems like he would be a short term fix as opposed to a project. No to Terry or Lampard. Koeman would improve us. A fair few options out there. 

4 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I’m struggling to understand how it got so bad in 2021 for Smith after such a great start. It can’t all be down to Grealish surely?  Are our players just shit but over achieved for 2-3 months?

The coaches leaving, Covid disrupting the pre season, maybe a levelling off of his ability and ceiling for improvement. Shakespeare not a fav of the players etc etc 

5 hours ago, rodders0223 said:

I can't believe we've nobody lined up and we are know going to make an approach to talk to Gerrard.

This is going to be a farce. I don't even see him wanting to come here...not that I'd want him either tbfh.

I don't think this is true. Yes it's what the press are suggesting. I personally believe we have someone lined up and it's just under under wraps as that's how we do our business. Exciting and interesting few days ahead. 

1 hour ago, HKP90 said:

I don’t disagree, but In fairness we missed the boat a bit with our shite off-season. We’ll be playing catch up for a while yet on that score.

totally agree, it will need to be with the ones not on int duty. 

1 hour ago, El-Reacho said:

Think that’s just a new manager cliche. Everyone said it when Smith took over from Bruce. Fitness is likely nothing to do with Smith - Lange would appoint the fitness trainers. They’ll know exactly how fit everyone is and it’ll be the same as every other team in the PL.

I mean it quite literally. 2nd bottom for distance covered during matches, /we arent fit enough to implement a high press, the facts show it. A new manager needs to jump all over that as it will help quite quickly. 

I reckon an appointment is close. ir tomorrow or Wednesday 

48 minutes ago, foreveryoung said:

Another rebuild?????

I don't think the owners will expect this, which is why they moved quick to sack Smith. I imagine from what I have heard, they are still expecting European football.

First job is to somehow get this lot a damn sight fitter than we are now. Will make a huge difference to us pressing and regaining possession 

2 minutes ago, HKP90 said:

Might be wrong, but I think that was someone else not Favre. Can’t remember who.

That many names flying around, so most likely is someone else haha!!

15 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

Waiting for the Villa job obviously.  Duh!

Read somewhere it was fior tax reasons, that could be a load of cobblers though 

7 minutes ago, thabucks said:

Ruben Amorim has done amazing work so far at Sporting … 

Yes I have just been reading about his career. I'd take him

10 minutes ago, Peter Griffin said:

JT plays a lot of golf in Portugal 

So does Bruce, oh fk!!

1 minute ago, est1874 said:

Been saying it from the start - Ma would make a great Villa boss!

M A Claret and Blue Army...

9 minutes ago, nick76 said:

Wouldn’t it be more Purslow doing most of the discussions with only some convos with the Owners

No one saying Purslow wasn't;t there too, I don't know this though.

1 minute ago, est1874 said:

Don't read too much into this but I heard Wes Edens spent the weekend in Melton Mowbray.

buying a large pork pie for xmas

5 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I have no idea what @TheEgo knows but I have just put a bet on Fonseca. Pint or 2 for you mate if he’s the next manager. 
 

Odds drifted from 8-1 to 9-1 as soon as I made the bet  

I popped a fiver on him earlier at 13/2 I know nothing other than Sawiris whereabouts and that it isn't usual and scheduled last min.

Been a while people. I know I've been missed ha!! A little snippet that may mean something or nothing at all. Sawiris has spent from Saturday to today in Lisbon. Not at all his usual destination over the weekend. Take it for what it is...

I feel for smith, great guy! Really want NSWE/Purslow to aim high. 

1 hour ago, Demitri_C said:

Yep this is spot on

I'm pretty certain Bruce has been  told he can only sign younger players, he's already quoted as saying as much. This is in direct contrast to his approach since being here and him constantly saying we need experience etc etc!! I don't know why Bruce IN/OUT debate runs through every thread, but if we are talking him, let's not dress it as he ACTUALLY has just decided to sign young and hungry players, having just quoted this as 'their' (the new owners) vision. Note the 'their part and not 'our' vision. He wanted Terry and Snodgrass again and was told NO. 

12 minutes ago, TRO said:

whats Theresa May doing PR?

Haha!!  

12 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said:

Darren, not David, and he completely screwed up Small Heath's transfers last summer. 

This is a huge misconception. They worked with him and yes a lot of the players they signed under Redknapp where his clients, but he can't force players on clubs, the club and Redknapp ultimately decided.