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Given the amount of talk regarding the current managerial situation, I thought we could have an article detailing some of the candidates that could be in line to take the role at the club. Whilst some might say that speculating about who will be in charge when our current manager is at home recuperating is a tad forward, I think the general consensus is that, come August, we will have a different man in charge. Public statements are likely to ensure that we focus on the games in hand, although it seems massively unlikely we will be able to take the risk of Gerard getting sick again.
So on to the likely (and some less likely) candidates:
David Moyes
The well known and well respected boss of Everton. David Moyes has a long reputation as a Premier League boss, and Everton are a difficult side to beat due to his tactics and good player motivation.
Pros: Moyes could certainly do something in terms of tactics for the team. He’s a well established Premier League manager. Has made some good purchases with the likes of Cahill and Fellaini being standouts. Has got Saha scoring, so could motivate some of the other strikers (other than Bent) to get back on the goal trail. Able to operate on tight budgets so suits the cost cutting plan that is currently in place.
Cons: He certainly hasn’t set the Premier League alight – one Champions League qualifying place in all his time at Everton is hardly top quality. Most likely has his eye on the Manchester United job as an outside candidate, so a move to Villa wouldn’t be in his, or the club’s, long term interest.
Owen Coyle
Success at Burnley meant that a bigger club came calling and Coyle jumped ship. Since being at Bolton, he took them up to the European places, although recent form has dropped them down the league.
Pros: Coyle is much like Moyes in that he could develop Villa into a team that is hard to beat. Success with Burnley, and now with Bolton points to him not being a one trick pony. Could be tempted to jump ship in much the same way as he did from Burnley. Hasn’t spent a lot of money, so would be good if Randy Lerner wants to go for a cost saver.
Cons: Coyle is hardly a massively inspiring manager, nor is he really much different to Martin O’Neill. Some would argue it is too much like for like vs the reign of O’Neill, and thus doesn’t look like a long term plan. With recent form, Bolton aren’t the success story that some were painting them as. Some might argue most of Bolton’s development is the result of Allardyce’s infrastructure, rather than a massive overhaul by Coyle.
Martin Jol
Without doubt a top European manager, and one that has Premier League experience to go with it. Took a Spurs side and got them playing good football and placing highly in the league.
Pros: Good experience in the Premier League as a manager. Plays attractive football which would go down well with the fans. Took an unfashionable Hamburg team to the semi finals of the UEFA Cup and a 5th placed finish in the Bundesliga. Would certainly relish the chance to have a second crack of the whip after being got rid of for Juande Ramos at Spurs. If the Fulham job almost tempted him to England, the Villa job most definitely would. Knows the area from his time as a player at West Brom. Not currently with a club.
Cons: None that are overly apparent.
Quique Sanchez Flores
Pros: Proven winner in both Spain and Portugal. At 46, is a good long term plan as a manager. Already linked with the post.
Cons: No Premier League experience so would be a big risk in terms of the long term plan.
PS Is it just me who thinks he looks a little like Phil Brown?
André Villas Boas
Arguably the next Porto created “Special One”. After a start of a career that bears striking similiarity to Jose Mourinho, Villas-Boas has done very well in his first season at Porto.
Pros: Plays attacking football. Won the Portuguese league at the first time of asking and broke Mourinho’s prior winning streak by 3 games. Qualified for the Europa League final and could (at the time of writing) still win it. Young enough to be at the club for 20 years if that was the long term plan.
Cons: Arguably on the hit list for bigger teams than Villa. No Premier League experience.
Jose Mourinho
Frankly, this man needs no introduction. “The Special One” has a reputation for delivering in multiple countries, and has already been one of only five managers to win the Premier League title. Known to love England, could Villa be enough to convince him to come back?
Pros: Would turn Villa into a very attractive proposition to a whole host of European footballers who would raise the club’s profile. Imagine players like Sneijder at Villa? With Mourinho at the helm, it wouldn’t be an unrealistic proposition. Has said in private conversation that he wants to find a club to build from the ashes and leave a long term legacy.
Cons: It seems pretty likely that Mourinho will be at Real for at least another season, most illustrated by the fact that he has bought players like Sahin to the club, and is linked with more transfers. If Mourinho became available, there would be a long list of suitors, with a whole host of top European clubs interested.
Martin O’Neill
A messiah if you ask some of the Villa faithful. O’Neill certainly has Premier League form and knows most of the Villa players well. Would a return of James Milner be enough to convince O’Neill of a second coming?
Pros: Villa players know his tactics and methods. He managed to get a team that comprised most of the same players to a cup final for the first time in 10 years.
Cons: The financial management of the club while he was here was shocking. Coming back to Villa would mean he would have to answer far too many questions about why he left in the first place. Fans still haven’t forgiven him for his part in this mess of a season.
PS Yes – this isn’t going to happen. Not in a million years. I just put it in because of those who still, even now, want him back.
So there are some ideas, what are your thoughts?
The Author
