Supervillan78

Suppose so. However, Mclaren has failed in numerous jobs. Would you honestly call any of Sparky's efforts above Mclaren level cock up's? Don't get me wrong, I think Hughes is a decent manager, hes certainly better than Mclaren. I just think we should go all out to get 'lotti', a manager with real pedigree. For the record, if the Villa job was a straight fight between Hughes and Mclaren, I'd 100% back Hughes. Its all down to perspective I guess.

or you could look at as; Mark Hughes was one of Wales most successful managers in recent history. Narrowly missing out on qualification to the Euro's by losing to Russia in the play offs and beating a top Italy team in the process. Wales would regularly get sell out crowds at the Millennium Stadium, even against the likes of Finland & Azerbaijan a feat that has only happened twice since and that's against "The Old Enemy" England. at Blackburn he took them to an 3 Cup Semi-final' (two FA & one League in the 3 consecutive seasons) & the Uefa Cup with a top six finish in his second season. At Man City players were bought in above his head that he may not have even wanted, he still had them in 5th place at the time of his sacking and managed to put the foundations together for a decent team to be cemented. At Fulham well once again he steadied the ship after Hodgson's departure and had them finishing 6th in the league. Whilst I'd prefer to have Ancellotti his record speaks for itself. I think a few people are being a bit to snobbish about Sparky and his previous achievements. I think given time he would be a good manager for most clubs... or you could look at as; Mclaren has won more than Hughes, and arguably with less resources. Hands up who wants Mclaren? No, me neither!

I desperately want us to get 'lotti' but deep down I think we will probably end up with Hughes. I just don't understand why he quit Fulham when he did, its just too much of a coincidence to ignore. There has been a lot of speculation today linking Hughes to Chelsea, Chelsea really? Abramovich is many things, but he's not **** stupid. Why sack Ancelotti, a proven winner and replace him with Hughes who's won exactly nothing. Of course Abramovich will demand that he wins one of, if not all of the CL, the League and the cup. It just doesn't make sense to me, Chelsea 'legend' or not.

Well if its anything like the real world, then Randy probably thinks Carlo's 'over qualified'.

Why do we keep torturing ourselves like this?

I think Randy's reputation is also on the line a little. He HAS to get it right this time!

that was a couple of sundays ago Quality

This!

Yeah July 1st!

I don't want Mclaren or Benitez. What a bloody joke, if either of those two clowns get appointed I'd cry!

Hughes is a distant 3rd, and I genuinely think that Moyes will stay at Everton. Maybe Randy should do an x-factor style phone poll thingy. Where fickle Villans get to vote for their next manager.

Their wages will still be more than say Moyes wages and compensation will be, can we afford it. If they managed to bring success back to Villa, it would be money very well spent IMO!

Ancelotti and Wilkins for me, best candidates by a country mile and best of all we don't have to pay any bloody compensation!

thats where we differ. while i accept that ancelotti would do a hell of a lot better than the others, all things being equal, i also think he would represent more of a risk than the rest. the ideal situation for me would be 4-5 years of moyes/hughes/jol followed by an approach to a manager of ancelottis calibre when the club is ready for it in terms of resources and infrastructure After 4 years of MON, I really think the clubs ready now. mon left us in a financial hole we're still dealing with. When the new rules have taken effect in 3 years time i suspect we'll be brilliantly placed to make a charge at a power shift. Until then we need to focus on getting the infrastructure right in preparation for that moment. A superstar manager isnt necessarily the correct way to go about that IMO the infrastructures already in place, its just been mismanaged. What really worries me, is that in 3/4 years time we may well have fallen so far behind the top five that its going to be impossible to catch up even with more money, and more resources. Given that scenario, realistically don't think we will be able to. Its now never IMO.

thats where we differ. while i accept that ancelotti would do a hell of a lot better than the others, all things being equal, i also think he would represent more of a risk than the rest. the ideal situation for me would be 4-5 years of moyes/hughes/jol followed by an approach to a manager of ancelottis calibre when the club is ready for it in terms of resources and infrastructure After 4 years of MON, I really think the clubs ready now.

because they dont apply common sense and logic to anything football related its a case of "hes been a successful manager so he'd be a successful manager here", despite the fact that he's been a successful manager a clubs with far more resources and draw than villa OK, so I maybe wrong, however I genuinely think the guy has a hell of a lot more to offer than any of the other candidates mentioned. he might, but he'd be a risk. just because he's a name doesnt mean he's going to be a success. the adjustment he'd have to make to even be a moderate success at villa would be huge. it'd be an experience completely at odds with the last 20 years of his career mourinho, for example, could do it at villa. coz it's not that long since he was at porto and operating with similar restraints. its been too long for the likes of ancelotti though I have a lot more confidence in Ancelotti, than I do with Moyes, Hughes, Jol etc. At the moment our star players like Downing and Young, all want to leave to play CL football, signing a manager of Ancelotti's calibre would be a clear signal of intent. He may even be able to persuade them to change their minds and stay. Who knows, but one things for sure, at the moment we are going backwards fast. This next managerial appointment is crucial.

because they dont apply common sense and logic to anything football related its a case of "hes been a successful manager so he'd be a successful manager here", despite the fact that he's been a successful manager a clubs with far more resources and draw than villa OK, so I maybe wrong, however I genuinely think the guy has a hell of a lot more to offer than any of the other candidates mentioned.

Simple question, Moyes, Jol, and Hughes, as managers what have they won? Now compare that to Ancelotti. Surely the choice is obvious?

I think a lot depends on who we get as our next manager and whether they can persuade him to stay. I'd like him to stay, even after today's comments. I still think he's got an awful lot to offer. However if we have to sell, sell at a premium, get as much as we can and get a suitable replacement asap, IE Adam Johnson.

I hope not! In Ancelotti we have the opportunity to get a manager with real calibre, we'd be mad to miss it!

I'd bloody love us to get Ancelotti! Him, with Wilkins as his assistant would be perfect for Villa IMO.

I really don't think Downing's leaving in this window. All he's said, is that he doesn't want to sign a new contract at this point, that's all. Given the current managerial situation, I'd say that's quite prudent. Its going to be down to the club to persuade him to stay. The best way of doing that in my opinion, is to back the manager (whoever it is) and make a few marquee signings this summer, then really going all out to win something next season. F.A Cup anyone?

Has to be Adidas for me, not been impressed with Nike at all, especially after this years cock up.

If Makoun is worth just £4.2M then Adam's worth no more than £3M, I'm almost glad we didn't get him now. £12M really Ian?????????????????

Delph still has a role to play at the club, however it depends on how well he does when his opportunity comes. It's actually a shame he got injured when he did, but I'm sure Houllier will give him his chance.