No longer than 12 hours after the Mail reported that Houllier was to be appointed at Villa Park, there has been another candidate thrown into the mix. The new-boy comes in the shape of former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni. Donadoni’s UK representative Charles Collymore, no relation to Stan, claimed that the 46 year old was interested in being the next man in charge.
“Roberto is a great student of the English game and he is very interested in the job at Aston Villa. He knows Villa are a top club with an ambitious owner and feels he could be a success there”
If the Italian was to take charge it would go completely against the criteria that the board stressed was so important in a new manager. Donadoni has no experience at Premier League level and doesn’t have any experience of club management in European competitions. Donadoni was something of a surprise replacement for Marcelo Lippi, who left after winning the World Cup in 2006. The ex-Milan player was given the job after an impressive record with Livorno, with whom he achieved a 9th place finish in the Serie A, way above expectations.
His managerial career started in 2001, just a year after hanging up his boots, with Lecco before joining Livorno with an extremely brief 3 game stint at Genoa saandwiched between his two spells at the club. The manager was relieved of his duties by Italy after being knocked out by eventual Champions Spain in the Euro’s on a penalty shoot-out in the quarter finals and winning just 13 games of a 23 game reign. Since then he has managed Napoli but a short 7 month spell was ended after losing 8 from 18. This sort of record will endear Villa fans and the candidate is seen by many as a bigger name than reputation.
His representative went on to say that his client has always wanted to manage in England and feels that he has the credentials to make a success of himself at the club.
“Roberto has worked at the highest level and he has always dreamed of coaching in England. Roberto has the experience and talent to develop the best young English talent and also the knowledge to find the best foreign talent available.”
A foreign manager is looking increasingly likely and is something that most Villa fans are taking to the idea of. After MON seemingly refused to dip into the foreign transfer market, maintaining that the best of British would take the club to the next level, many fans see the possibility of signing a few foreign stars as favourable. Whether Donadoni is the man is debatable having a frankly mediocre managerial record, taking charge of 146 matches, winning 52, drawing 46 and losing on 48 occasions.
In other baffling news Aston villa have resigned ex-Norwich keeper Andy Marshall on a year’s contract as cover for Big Brad and Big Brad. The veteran 35 year old keeper has not started a single game for the club and but the deal will allow the likes of youngster’s Elliott Parish and Benjamin Siegrist to get some first team experience from potential loan moves.
UTV!
