“Results have gone awry! We must sack the manager!” That has been an all too-common cry of frustration from fans for the last 50 years, often egged-on by the media. I remember very clearly a certain Villa manager who was thus axed after nearly 6 years in the job, frustrated by the Villa board’s inability to get to grip with the modern game then emerging in the early 60s, and was so conscientious he took the blame on his own shoulders and made himself very ill. The board immediately sacked him. Four years later, having become the manager of Manchester City, he took the cheers when City won the league championship with players of the ilk of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Franny Lee. Six years after that, the same manager was temporarily in charge of an England team which produced some of the finest football seen from an England team in maybe 10 years. That manager’s name was Joe Mercer.
So when the fans cry to have a manager sacked I always think back to the time of Joe, the manager who always had a smile – except when things went wrong in his last days with Villa. And I think and wonder whether the ‘fault’ of the manager that the fans want out is his – or is it the board’s – or is it something else.
In fact there was a time, of course, when Villa did not have a team manager. The board and the club’s secretary ran all the affairs of the club and thus maintained a continuity that sustained the club well for 50 years. If results went astray, the board got together and decided what had to be done – and did it! Like the beginning of the 1919-20 season when Villa found themselves bottom of the league after 10 games. At that point Villa went out and signed a mammoth of a player from nowhere (Frank Barson – said to have been one of the hardest players to appear in a Villa shirt), brought in a certain youngster called Billy Walker … and the rest was history. Villa finished in mid-table and won the FA Cup!
Right, those times have been long gone. But the need for continuity hasn’t. Somehow over the last few years we have lost sight of what Villa is, in my opinion. I for one have a different feeling about the club than I had ten years ago – vastly different, in fact. At times I struggle to see why I continue to take an interest.
Having said all that, in Dr. Xia I see some tangible recognition in him that he has a sense of reality, apart from the nature of the club’s history and expectations. But what I also see in Dr. Xia is an ambition that rules over sensibility; when Di Matteo was appointed I had my reservations (as I think others did) but I honestly did not think we would see too much of a problem in this league with him in the job. That appointment is well and truly down to the good doctor.
But what seems to be overlooked (and the cause of some games being given away) is that some of the symptoms of last season have re-appeared. The almost impossible-to-understand defensive errors have again appeared, and yet with a new set of players who are supposed to be leaders in their own right! Also the failure to score … again very prevalent last season.
Yes, we can try to put the blame on the midfielders, but in my view, there is something awry with the aura at Villa Park and that it is not the manager that should take the can. In fact, if he goes and is replaced, I fully expect the same symptoms to continue or re-appear – until the cause of this miasma is fixed.
The cause of the miasma? Oh, the previous owner, of course, was its instigator. But in my view it’s up to the doctor to now re-vivify the club with a real understanding of what the club is about. He must take off that weight of expectation that seems to be on the players’ backs and which is making them ‘leggy’. Sacking an above-average and mostly faultless manager is not the answer in my view: certainly not in the Championship.
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 37
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Afraid there’s not a lot more the Doc can do, he’s provided cash for players and coaches, we have the best training facilities in the UK and 30 thousands odd every other week spending good money to watch sub standard football and a losing team. I really don’t think RdM can complain if he’s booted, i bet apart from TFSW every other manager in the division would have swapped jobs with him and all of those same managers would have got infinitely better results.
Its the good managers who did well for Villa who were booted by Herbert who i feel sorry for even the much reviled Dr Jo who never even had the benefit of selecting his team before being fired, admittedly with good compo for his troubles.
Steamer,
The owner of the club is the top boss who should be able to see what is really wrong, and it’s not just how much money has to be spent in players, coaching and training.
Mt article states that something else is an underlying issue – a psychological one. Until that’s addressed nothing will go right.
Only the Doc can sort out that issue by identifying it as a major problem.
How else do you explain the same team failures as last season? .. And in a lower league?
Thanks JL- I do think there is a malaise at VP these days and that it is being continued by the support as much as the staff, weight of expectation is dragging this club down imo, If its not that then I am afraid it may well be the manager is not strong enough in his own beliefs or does not put them over well enough to this team of very experienced players and the result is chaos.
Last seasons failures were due to the entire club from admin to coaching to playing being allowed to deteriorate over years, the situation now is as good as its been for donkeys, if there is a mental problem then we’ll never be rid of it because apart from sacking managers who are obviously not up to the job, i can’t see what the Doc can do but try, try and try again. I can’t see how these new players can be embroiled in this turmoil especially the older ones.
Just seen the Engurland joke/team, Glenn Johnson again, dear oh dear, Southgate must be doffing his cap to the right people to get that gig, one paper suggested that he’d bring ‘dignity’ to the job, remember him missing that penalty and turning up for a pizza advert with a bag over his head, very dignified.
Mark,
In my view the manager just has one task – the every day management of his players.
The manager is not the continuity of the club … the owner is more than anyone. Therefore the owner has to identify the malaise and deal with it. I’m sure RdiM was not appointed to do that. I hope not! 😉
All these newbies come in with their platitudes “great club, great fans etc” and continue to do sod all, as BFR said “don’t tell me, show me.” The clubs a holiday camp for crepe, over the hill journeymen, get Pearson in to give a few kickings out and then see how the poor dears cope with the mental issues, bet most are on over 25,000k per week, the least they can do is get a sweat on.
Im in shock i think. I mean this aint supposed to be happening. Another manager booted after a summer of so much hope. 11 games in one win and 2 points off bottom in div 1. I mean what the actual fuck is going on. Ive had enough of this shit
I am very bemused by all. It is very simple, like managing the England team, and not just paying the guys in form, but the ones who will play and gel together.
We have yet to appoint a manager with a succesful track record, who is in form, ands runnning a successful team.
I really hope the Doc does not choose another over the hill manager to join up with the over the hill payers we have signed.
JL-
Don’t disagree there seems to be a malaise. But like Steamer says, with such a thorough clean-out, it’s hard to see why.
As a result, I think the weight of expectations is the likeliest root cause. There’s not many other candidates unless someone put a curse on the club.
John/Steamer: “Hard to see why following a clear-out”
John, my article says that it’s an atmosphere pervading the club, so clear-out or not, the atmosphere pervades and affects oldsters and newcomers alike. The atmosphere includes the “weight of expectation”.
People I just cannot see any alternative to giving RDM the sack he has been nothing short of woeful.
His signings just have not worked out and some of the decisions have been truly dreadful, not only by him but also by the club as a whole.
We thought we could put a 21 year old keeper from another country who is very short on experience behind a completely new back four in a very difficult league, mistake number one, in saying that the new back four just have not performed and have been at fault for a lot of the goals conceded, although losing DeLaet did not help yes JC we may be cursed, but the full backs are just awful defenders and there is a massive weakness.
The club allowed midfield players to leave without lining up suitable replacements, another huge mistake, we were left severely short on numbers and quality in probably the most important area of the pitch, leaving a youngster and a veteran to share the workload with a very poor Westwood who was again at fault on Saturday, the irony was two of Prestons midfield players Johnson and Robinson we actually gave away because they were not good enough, well they showed on Saturday they were a touch better than what we currently have to offer.
The biggest mistake of all was our transfer window signings, we have so many offensive players RDM can only struggle to shoehorn them all into the squad, he has players on top salaries that he needs to play so he puts them into midfield to make up the numbers this weakens the defensive capability of the team from minute one, this instantly puts pressure on the midfield with a knock on effect to the back four, basically the player recruitment was flawed and that blame lies at the door of more than just RDM.
So basic errors were made and RDM will ultimately pay the price but who replaces him is the big question, my opinion may count for nothing but a foreign manager is a no go, I feel we need someone who knows this division really well and can come in and steady the ship and gain a few results to see us through to the next transfer window where a experienced keeper and some midfield quality is crucial to at least get something from this first season, unfortunately Steve Bruce is a name that is getting mentioned all too often and although he has all the credentials to do the job he will not be a popular choice.
SWV
RDM has left AVFC. And so it all begins again ……………………
OldVilla,
And will yet another appointment make any difference….?
What’s *really* needed is for the Doc to apply some Feng Shui and get the yin and yang back in harmony.
You think I’m joking? Some top clubs are using yoga to get their players into the right mental state…
Just sacking people is not going to get the club anywhere.
John,
What was the alternative, we could have waited and seen no improvement in the results and then it would have been too late to get anything from this season, we now have a two week window to find someone who can motivate this team and get them winning.
Ford Mondeo for sale low mileage one careful owner.
SWV
Glad we made the change, but I do want to say a thank you to Roberto Di Matteo for conducting himself with dignity and class. Based upon his record with WBA and Chelsea I truly believe that there’s a genuinely good manager in there somewhere, but that he’s somehow lost the plot — I sincerely hope he figures out what he needs to do resurrect his career.
He was not for me – glad he has gone.
We need a manager that has a passion for the club, whoever that may be !
“OldVilla,
And will yet another appointment make any difference….?”
John – in all honesty I really don’t know any more. The conundrum that is AVFC has now got me completely baffled as to the root cause of what are now seeing …. again! Can it really be that we always choose ‘bad’ managers? Or buy players that don’t want to play for us or are not what we thought they were? Is not one of our ex-managers capable of putting out a decent stable formation?
So – will a new manager be able to get this squad of players to play any better. Will a new manager want to buy his ‘own’ players. Put his own backroom team in. Change training and tactics. Hit the ground running and push us up the table.
I think we’ve all been here before and NO-ONE can have the answers right now ……
Lets all get back on the AVFC rollercoaster and take the ride eh?!
oldvilla
I’m with OldVilla as to being, as he put it, completely baffled at our conundrum — but I’ll see his “baffled” and raise him a “bewildered” as well! lol
Excerpt from the BBC article detailing the RDM sacking:
“Villa’s run of managers
Since Martin O’Neill quit on the eve of the season in August 2010, Villa have had six different ‘permanent’ managers and four caretaker bosses, with Gary McAllister taking charge for a spell in 2011 while Gerard Houllier was absent because of ill health:
• Kevin MacDonald (caretaker): 9 Aug-21 Sep 2010
• Gerard Houllier/Gary McAllister: 21 Sep 2010-1 Jun 2011
• Alex McLeish: 17 Jun 2011-15 May 2012
• Paul Lambert: 2 Jun 2012-11 Feb 2015
• Scott Marshall/Andy Marshall (caretaker): 11-17 Feb 2015
• Tim Sherwood: 17 Feb-25 Oct 2015
• Kevin MacDonald (caretaker): 25 Oct-3 Nov 2015
• Remi Garde: 3 Nov 2015-30 March 2016
• Eric Black (caretaker): 30 Mar 2016-2 Jun 2016
• Roberto di Matteo: 2 Jun-3 Oct 2016
The last 19 months since Lambert’s exit have proved particularly severe:
Marshall/Marshall: 7 days, P1 W1
Sherwood: 250 days, P28 W10 D2 L16
MacDonald: 9 days, P2 L2
Garde: 148 days, P23, W3, D7, L13
Black: 65 days, P7 W0, D1 L6
Di Matteo: 124 days, P12, W1, D7, L4”
Understand that results and performances dominated the decision making process that led Dr.T to RDM’s sacking. I will say this is my least favourite aspect of football in that short term thinking takes pole position over allowing a manager to develop and grow with the players he has.
Now, we’ll find ourselves at some stage in the near future having played a game or two managerless with a new name to shout at when any expected change in results isn’t forthcoming.
After the turmoil of recent years and relegation and a group of players entirely new to each other, stability should have been key, there was progression under RDM, from a team utterly defeated before games started to a team managing to defend and score in small measures. Obviously not enough for most and not enough for Dr.T.
I do hope we have the balls to pick a manager and stick with him, even if results aren’t favourable. We’ll also find ourselves in the same position of new manager hates existing players because he didn’t buy them and as opposed to playing the best 11 we get the managers favourites until January.
I do despair for Villa in it’s attempts to find a quick solution to a long term problem.
A.N.Other’s Claret and Blue Army should be our chant that way we don’t have to shoe horn the next managers name for a few weeks until he’s then booted.
Short termism out, short termism out
I just don’t think you understand
From a relegation fight to championship shite
I want short termism out
UTV
As being said on some sites, Steve Clark is more than capable of managing Villa, and certainly should be okay in the interim.
I really hope it is not Bruce, as we need someone capable of running the club now, and at the same time, building for the future.
Morning all . Good article John .
It’s an impossible decision because there are so many unknowns in football . In the end it’s a guess : will they improve or not . I read the players were surprised and bemused . Really ?!
On the one hand 12 games seems ridiculously short time but I think what Dr T doesn’t have is time. This isn’t just about a league place but about possible promotion .
By all reports, the PNE Was the worst performance yet .
It is a shame , no one likes to see ppl fail even if they are given a good pay off – it still hurts . I agree that RDM has acted in a dignified way , he hasn’t blamed his players , the club , the bla blah like Tim Sherwood did , so good on him for this .
I am rather alarmed at so many villa fans tweeting to Dr Xia to bring back Tim Sherwood . No returns please ! First choice for me is Gary Rowett . I will get my tin hat on .
Texas – the managerial turnaround at AV is depressing . I don’t think their choices have been abysmal . remember Three seasons ago I thought Southampton were mad to get rid of Adkins – for a young premier league novice Poccetino . He was exactly right to take them to the next step . When Poccetino went to Spurs I thought Southampton may flounder (particularly as their team’s best players went). But no, they chose well again in appointing Koeman. Let’s hope this time AV get it right .
I should have said “their choices have been abysmal “!!!!
IMO, RdM has shown a lack of EVERY quality needed to be a successful manager, over his career potato head has shown exactly the same and also lacks integrity. Anyone that condones spitting into someones face (twice) is not welcomed in my book. He also has a record of disloyalty to virtually every club he’s been at as player or manager, that he was at the fly tippers doesn’t concern me only that he’s a crepe manager.
David Wagner and Sean Dyche definitely stand out for me, anyone who can transform Huddersfield the way DW has must be considered.
The folk wanting Sherwood are doolally idiots buoyed by random fly tippers attempting to do Villa down, the bloke has nothing to offer this club and they should concentrate on watching and infesting their own rat infested ghetto.
OOP’s we did it again, that should be the tune we come out to from now on. My take on what has just happened is
A: A poor transfer window not in the quality of the players but in the blend, we did this last season but with worse players in some cases. No midfield and all dolly parton up top. RDM is not known for his extensive overhauls of teams but for short term success with anothers players or inheriting a fairly balanced squad.
B: We then see a repeat of last season when Tim could not sort out and settle on a team from what was bought, Remi came in a steadied things but knew ultimately he was 5 players short of a decent side and we all know what followed.
C: the players that came in bought into the project, big club ( money) and return to prem, chance to play in the big time. Then they start to realise RDM has not done a great job of putting the side together, I suspect the defence know Gollini is not up to it and the nervousness has snowballed. The forwards have realised they are now mid-forwards and things at the other end have suffered to.
D: the overall confidence in and of RDM has dwindled and maybe even in each other and themselves.
E: the Fans fearing another year like last year add to the air of misery around Villa park and the ball is well and truly rolling
F: Tony xia puts the fans first and bins RDM after the PNE horror show and the calls for his sacking. All the other factors above come into his thinking or at least the CEO’s.
Next move find someone who can fix it?? His one saving grace may be that he has not bought the players and will utilise some youth players to fill in the gaps or maybe use Steer who played 38 games for Huddersfield last season.
good poat
post
wasn’t potato head booted for mcknob at the skip ? sums him up.
Bad rat infestation at the NIA this week.
Possible outsider – Gary Neville.
Please steamer, not Neville. Wagner seems to be on the media’s lips, maybe we could just swap our team for Huddersfield?
The team not the town
Yes, Wagner seems to be the chosen one if we can persuade HTFC to let him come, if he wants to.
When asked he said no comment steamer? as for will they let him go? feel sorry for huddersfield considering the season they are having, maybe they can persuade Klopps best man to manager them
i should say he’s been approached then, no comment can mean anything usually underhand.