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So following an official statement regarding Alex McLeish, the board have confirmed their intention to interview him for the vacant role of Aston Villa manager. In doing so, the board are risking an angry fan backlash with many suggesting they will return season tickets or not attend games at Villa Park till McLeish is sacked.
Lets get some sensible objective angles on the situation. In saying that Aston Villa are going to interview McLeish, it doesn’t mean that they are going to give him the job. Of course it does mean he has the potential to get the job, but he is not nailed on as a definite. So it isn’t quite at the point of an appointment just yet.
If we look through the red (or blue) mist of anger surrounded the offering of an interview to a manager of Birmingham, we can see into Alex McLeish’s actual achievements and statistics. With a managerial career encompassing three Scottish club sides, the Scottish national team, and Birmingham City, he hasn’t done as bad as some might have imagined. In fact, when you look at his record vs Martin O’Neill, it isn’t really that different. League Cup win and titles in Scotland. Rubbish football. Some stinkers in transfers. Much of a muchness.
I’m not saying that I personally recommend Alex McLeish as an option, and think Villa can do far better. However, I’m also not the person making the conversations with the managers we want, and thus I don’t know if Moyes wants to come or he doesn’t, if Hughes was excluded or wasn’t. The only dead certainty was the approach for Roberto Martinez, and even that was overplayed and only involved a letter of intent and a phone call.
A bold move, or a crazy one
When it comes to the choice to go ahead with the appointment, and this is by no means guaranteed as of yet, the move would certainly be a divisive one. I know full well that there will be groups of fans on McLeish’s back from day one should he be appointed with boos ringing out against every misplaced pass or shot. Well that is if there are as many fans in the stands, as large numbers are claiming they will not be buying season tickets next year.
I can’t say whether this choice to not attend matches is right or wrong, good or bad – it is personal choice. If fans don’t want to pay to watch Villa next year, that is fine. However, season tickets sales do go someway towards the funding of the club, and thus less tickets sold equals less money equals a more difficult job.
So in a sense, that kind of decision creates a possibility of a self fulfilling prophecy. If the manager is hounded by the fans from day one, then his job becomes more difficult. With a team that has been been bereft of confidence at times, a fan revolt will probably not be the best thing to add to the list of problems facing Villa but, as I mentioned before, it is the choice of the individuals involved. I personally would warn against it, but I’m not able to stop people from protesting. All I am saying is that if, and I mean if, the appointment goes ahead, then we need to give the new manager a chance.
Of course, for all we know, the appointment may be a truly inspired one. After all, when we appointed John Gregory, he had far less experience than McLeish. I also seem to remember that his tenure at Villa left us top of the league at Christmas. Not bad for a small time boss. Ok, he was a former Villa player, but you don’t need to be a former Villa player to be a good Villa manager.
Detractors of McLeish will point towards Blues being relegated, to the quality of player that he attracted to the club, to his tactics, and to the fact that he managed Birmingham City. However, there are counter arguments for each issues – Blues are a yo-yo club anyway, the players that want to play there are limited in ability, tactics for the calibre of player he had at Blues were aimed at facing vastly superior teams, and a job is a job. I don’t imagine McLeish is going to be following every result that Blues have from now on, especially after his treatment by the club’s board.
On the plus side in terms of evidence of overachievement, he won the Carling Cup with Blues. With Blues for god’s sake. I didn’t even think that was humanly possible with any manager. Still, he won a cup. Something we haven’t done in 15 years and counting.
Some might say he was lucky, but every team needs a bit of luck. He beat Arsenal, but we couldn’t put United away the year before. Swings and roundabouts, only we view our club through rose tinted glasses, and view Blues “achievements” through disdain filled eyes.
Not my choice, but a potential Villa manager
This post isn’t set up to manage expectations, and nor is it confirming McLeish’s appointment as a certainty. It isn’t dividing fans into camps, or about saying anyone’s opinion is wrong. However, it is meant to give a moment of clarity – step away from the fact that McLeish managed Blues for a second and view the man himself on his own merits, not on age old hatred towards the team across the city.
Whether the choice is inspired or insane, we will find out if we appoint him as manager of our beloved club. I personally hope not, but if he is appointed, he will have my support.
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