Ginko

I guess we take this ITK stuff with a pinch of salt since we're hearing different things from all kinds of sources.

As for appointing Hughes, it could happen before July 1st dependent on how long Fulham take to find a manager of course. If they appoint someone in a week or two then I assume that agreement to wait until July 1st would be null and void? I'm no legal expert though, just what I would assume. I can't see Fulham wanting to wait around too long to get a new manager in though.

In my heart I'm still pining for Ancelotti however

"Ancelotti and his Claret and Blue Army" doesn't sound right!!

Ah well, he's going to fail the interview then since that's the only requirement for the job, to make sure that chant sounds right.

Randy get Hughes in!

He's a free agent so we wouldn't be "poaching" anyone's manager...

Well we'd have to wait until next month to appoint him as manager and whereas no-one but the parties involved know the specifics, it would look a little suspect if Houllier left, then the next day Mark Hughes resigns and then he ends up as our manager, so there would no doubt be accusations of poaching.

I'm not saying that's a good enough reason to not appoint him manager of course, and if he did get appointed, we could have done a lot worse but I still have other candidates I would prefer, chiefly Ancelotti, Moyes and to an extent Jol.

I can understand the uncertainty some people have about appointing Ancelotti, but all I would say is that it would be a huge signal of intent, it would attract a better quality of player to us and as long as he comes in early enough and Randy gives him some cash to bring in some of his own players, he would come good for us.

I also think that Randy and the board know exactly what they're looking for in their next manager and will set out the requirements, one of which would be the incorporation of products of our youth academy. If Ancelotti doesn't fulfill these requirements, I think we will look elsewhere, so I don't see it being a problem.

Lastly, I stand by a point I made what seems like 50 pages ago now, despite only being last night, that Ancelotti would have a lot more freedom to choose players to buy and play (within our budget constraints which are significantly less than Chelsea of course). I mean this in the sense that Abramovich is notorious for sticking his nose in to the manager's business, Randy isn't like that.

They will have learned from the mistakes with MON and the errors of judgement with Houllier and will be a lot wiser. They will appoint the candidate who best fits their criteria.

I don't think we're going to get a decision for a while if I'm honest. Whereas I would quite like it if we did, assuming it was a manager I liked, it would be a bit strange if it was decided so quickly. These sorts of things require time and thought.

To be fair, if Villa are looking for a loyal manager then:

a) it's going to be one very depleted list

and If he's in a job already and leaves to come to us, isn't that being disloyal?

I'm hoping that whole nice guy approach is behind us after last time though, maybe we need to be a little less naive.

First thing I am going to buy when the new season starts if Ancelotti is our manger, is a Villa shirt and a merchandise eyebrow, just to show my full support for him! If you cant purchase them, I will make and sell them myself. Imagine we can all wear them in the ground!

Aren't you supposedly slightly ITK? Heard anything from your sources?

Am I the only one who doesn't think that an Ancelotti appointment doesn't mean great deal at the moment. He had money and an already decent team at Chelsea so couldn't do much but look successful. even Avram Grant was a post away from winning the Champions League. Can Ancelotti do it at a club like Villa? Where he can't sign just anyone? he's as untested as a Paul Lambert on this regard and for that reason I'd be fairly sceptical if he were appointed.

I can understand the skepticism, Chelsea's decline was pretty evident but it's no secret that Abramovich gets far too involved with the football side of things so I would actually think Ancelotti would benefit from having someone like Randy who would let him get on with the job for the most part. I think it could work, especially if he brought Ray Wilkins with him, I think that is a major draw for most of us wanting Ancelotti, doesn't mean Wilkins would come if we even got Ancelotti though I guess.

As for astonvillalife on twitter, it says he is a tech advisor for acorns so he could well have contacts in the form of players or people who work behind the scenes at the club.

astonvillalife Aston Villa Life

@ @mjhall39 just had message. Friends with a lot of people at be club including most of the players. Also work with Acorns #avfc

Wtf does that mean?

It was in reply to someone following him on Twitter who was asking about his sources.

Hi Gen,

Instead of asking about the managerial situation (big thumbs up for Ancelotti and Ray Wilkins from me though) is there any further news to report on our new kits and sponsor? It's been a couple of weeks since the season finished now. Is there some sort of holdup with a new sponsor which is in turn holding up the new kits being shown? If this is the case, can we just show some photos of the new kits without the sponsor?

Sorry, I'm just dying to know and we seem to be way behind all the other Premier League teams when releasing information about next seasons' kits. Isn't the away one supposed to be on sale this month?

Thanks again, semper fidelis.

If the board hire Hughes, then they've proven me right. No ambition whatsoever.

Oh come on. I wouldn't be that happy if Hughes was appointed but at least give him a chance.

Not when there's better options out there. The whole thing would be a farce.

I don't agree with OnlyOne much and maybe what he said is a little stern but I really don't rate Hughes at all either and I would be incredibly disappointed if we didn't at least talk to Ancelotti or other higher profile managers available.

Whoever becomes boss I will give him time and support but I can't say I'd be particularly thrilled to see Hughes as our manager. He's not a big enough statement of intent for me and I'm not thrilled by his transfer policy (see Sidwell). He seems like a good motivator though, we could do worse for sure but a bit of a let down if it's true.

Disturbing stuff from Moxley if it's true. Ancelotti isn't on the short list? He really should be. Him and Wilkins would definitely send out a statement of intent and maybe get Downing to stop being a dick and flip flopping over whether he wants to stay or not.

General Krulak here:

1. Ginko, I am not sure what a "clear sign" would entail? I would think that Randy's willingness to splash cash at every window is some indication of a clear sign of where he wants the Club to go. I would think that Randy's willingness to splash cash to make Villa Park a jewel in the Premiership would be a clear sign of what he wants the Club to be. I would think that the money he has put towards our players (Bodymoor Heath) is a clear sign of his belief that facilities do matter in the health of the players. I would think that Randy's purchase of a house a short distance from Bodymoor Heath and the fact that he is at almost every game, home and away, is a clear sign of his PERSONAL desire for the Club to be counted as one of the best and most successful Clubs in the league...and a clear sign that his heart and soul is with the Club.

My apologies General, I wasn't very clear on what I meant by a clear sign. I fully appreciate and am grateful for the sheer amount of money Randy has put into the club and the signing of Bent more than proves Randy and the board's commitment to me personally.

By saying 'a clear sign' I was speaking more specifically to the here and now concerning our managerial situation, i.e whether Monsieur Houllier would be staying put or whether we would be appointing a new coach. I appreciate that when this decision is made it will be made public and also realise that it is not an easy decision to be made and one that will take time, I was simply trying to state that football fans by nature are incredibly passionate about their clubs and also incredibly impatient so please do not to think too badly of us for wanting to know all the details at the earliest possibility.

Thanks General, not all of us are as you have described however. Myself and various other fans appreciate Randy and the board and all he has done for us and realise that big decisions like this take time and it is best not to be communicated every step of the way. I don't want our dirty laundry being aired in public (as much as is possible anyway) so I appreciate the discretion.

This being said, many of us are just impatient and want a clear sign from the club as to which direction we are headed. We all care so much for the club and naturally we would all like to know the ins and outs. I trust the club will divulge information as soon as decisions have been made, but a week is a long time for impatient football fans .

Thanks again. Semper fi, sir.

99% Bullderdash, but i heard wednesday is D day for GH, if he doesnt continue Hughes will be in.

Please not hughes..

Agree. We must be able to find someone who ISN'T a clearing in the woods.

It's not even that for me, it's that there are better managers out there and we should be trying to get them. Hughes is a mid table manager, he's not awful, but he isn't what we should be aiming for in my opinion.

This is the man who actually bought Steve Sidwell, let's not forget that.

I know that nothing is certain, but I really think Moyes has gone out of his way to categorically deny that he will be joining us and leaving Everton. We may have contacted him but if he was trying to keep it hush there are more diplomatic and neutral responses he could have chosen, Instead he seemed very clear on not coming to us. If it happens though I would be happy.

However if Ancelotti came with us and brought Wilkins, well I don't even know what I'd do but you bet it would be something sexual. I really don't count on this happening though, but those supposed quotes of him wanting to stay in the PL and wanting a challenge seem tailor-made for our club right now. You know what they say about if it sounds to good to be true though.

Jesus I can't believe people are judging him on a handful of performances. I'm just glad the naysayers aren't picking the teamsheet.

Rich_D has it spot on in his post above. Enough said.

Ha well I don't care how he sounds, I just think he's a bit of a rubbish manager. Well, not rubbish but not the kind of person I'd be happy to see manage our club. There are better candidates in my opinion, bit of a shame for Moyes to rule himself out of the running though. Now if McClaren could kindly follow suit, I'd sleep easier.

Why don't you think we'll see Makoun next season exactly?

Houllier WILL NOT be returning as manager.

Is this your opinion or do you have some sort of source?

Unbelievable Jeff!

What was Kammy doing at VP? Got a link?

Good Day General,

Just wondering if we are close to securing a shirt sponsor for next season?

Thanks.

I too wonder about this and our new kit. I'm assuming that things are still being worked out so the Liverpool game would be too soon to reveal our new home kit (I'm thinking along the lines of how Chelsea played in their new home kit this weekend just passed and I think Everton used next season's away shirt too?) but it would be good if we could do this next season. I understand that without a sponsor tied down this probably won't happen for next week although if it did it would be a lovely surprise

I hope you're good and I'm sure you enjoyed the Arsenal win as much as all did here on VT Gen.

Semper Fi, Sir.

I think Coyle had a massive effect when he first came to Bolton and galvanised the team, got them playing above their level but eventually that wears off. He's still a good manager don't get me wrong but I don't think he's the type I would want here, we should be aiming higher.

I wouldn't be unhappy with Moyes, Sparky is average, other than that I don't know much about the foreign names we've been linked to.

Whoever we have, I would like it to be someone who respects the club, its history, its traditions, and its supporters.

I don't think that Mr Houllier does, and am sure that Benitez wouldn't.

Much as I disliked the man and his football, in fairness to MON he showed complete respect while he was here.

Well until he got in a strop and left us in the shit of course

In other news, I don't think Houllier was being disrespectful, just a bit thoughtless and yes that isn't ideal but by all accounts and from what I've seen, Houllier is a perfectly nice and respectful guy. I don't think Randy would put so much faith in him if he was disrespecting our club purposefully.

Quique Sanchez Flores won't be managing Atlético next year. Marca has reported that Luis Enrique and Atlético have struck a deal for him to be the next manager. I'm not a huge fan, my wife thinks he's fit, his aunt and great aunt are VERY famous flamenco artists, the players might actually respect him because he's a former footballer......

Your wife thinks he's fit? Isn't he the one who looks like Phil Brown? :shock:

I don't know much about him as a manager, don't really follow Spanish football too closely but considering I know of your connections to spanish football/footballers I like to think you know what you're on about.

Care to go into more detail about why you don't rate him YIM?