Houllier To Decide On Villa Job Today

September 6, 2010 by
Filed under: Aston Villa, Hot topic debates, Villa Manager 

The news coming out of Villa Park today is that former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is to become the new man in charge of Aston Villa. Houllier, who has been out of the managerial game since 2007, was interviewed by the board earlier this week and has now come out as the strong favourite to succeed Martin O’Neill. It is still not known what role the current Director of the French Football Federation has been offered among rumours of a similar position being made for him at the club.

The 63 year old was thought to have favoured a similar role to the one that he holds at the FFF as a director but reports today suggest that the Frenchman has been offered the official manager’s post at the Midlands club. This will come as a blow to fellow candidates such as current caretaker Kevin MacDonald who may have benefited from a new role being created for Houllier at the club.

Strong suggestions were made that the Scotsman would be hired as a head coach under the Directorship of Houllier and it was thought that MacDonald would have seen this situation as ideal. After publicly stating that the stresses on the private lives of manager’s nowadays was not something that he would take kindly to, MacDonald may well have been buoyed by the proposal of a head coach role. Speculation over the weekend linked former Villan Steve Staunton with a role alongside the current boss under the French tactician. It has also been touted that Houllier may look to revive a partnership with his right hand man at Liverpool and “Stevie G” loving scouser Phil Thompson.

A move for Houllier in any role is being well received by the majority at Villa Park although back page gossip yesterday stated that certain player’s at the club may not take well to any impending appointment. Brad Friedel and Stephen Warnock both played (or not so much being the issue), under Houllier at Anfield with the former being made surplus to requirements and shipped off to Blackburn.

Despite any gripes anyone may have at the club, it is now looking probable that Houllier will be under the employment of Aston Villa in some role pending a decision from the ex-Lyon manager later today.


Comments

5 Comments on Houllier To Decide On Villa Job Today

  1. gary stevens on Mon, 6th Sep 2010 12:27

    2. it is a bit silly with this so called player revolt. firstly how do people get this view other than assumptions and secondly these players are different players than when they played under him then so it can’t be that bad and hardly at risk of losing their place.
    I for one would welcome houllier,i think given the current climate for a manager he is probably the best we could get and at least we could get starlets from accross europe with his scouting network.
    Looks like he wont be there as a DOF anyway.My only gripe is that it is all taking a while to get sorted isn’t it?
    Strange times for villa fans

  2. mark on Mon, 6th Sep 2010 12:29

    3. Well if its the managers role. lets hope he turns it down. I would be happy with director of football but thats it.

  3. martinlaurence on Mon, 6th Sep 2010 12:36

    4. I agree it is taking quite a while but I think as long as we get the right man then we have until Friday at the latest I would say. It would be of great benefit to get the manager in before the weekend to prepare for Monday against Stoke. I would prefer Houllier in the DoF role than manager I think as that is where he seems to do his best work. MacDonald as a head coach would be no less than he deserved in my book and ideal for him maybe alongside someone like Southgate as they both know the club well.

  4. Craig Walker on Mon, 6th Sep 2010 12:43

    5. Don’t like this director of football role, for some reason never seem’s to work in this country And certainly don’t want that dick head thompson he hate’s the Villa and i think you will find that most of us hate him. would prefer Jol or Moyes but don’t supose we have even tried for them i don’t know just a guess. Houllier is a much better bet than some of the nobody’s that the media have put forard for the job. we may even sign a few player’s from abroad instead of paying OTT price’s for english player’s like the £12m we forked out on that bag of shite called downing, so overall i would not be to disapointed if GH is appointed.

    Up The Villa

  5. MC on Mon, 6th Sep 2010 14:26

    6. Gerrard Houllier’s claret and blue army…. its going to take some getting used to. I’m not enthused about it either but who knows, it could prove a masterstroke. we have needed an injection of foreign players to add that extra flair to complement Ashley Young so I will also be giving him full support. He’s gotta be better than Curbishley

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