Today caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald has raised concerns over his future at the club after admitting to being “very disappointed” not to be offered the manager’s job. Speaking after Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke last night the Scotsman conceded that he may need to re-think his future at the club. He also revealed ulterior motives for deciding to rejoin the reserves rather than stay on as an assistant to Houllier.
Next Saturday’s home tie with Bolton may well turn out to be MacDonald’s last as caretaker manager with the new boss hoping to be available for the Carling Cup game with Blackburn. MacDonald only entered the running for the manager’s job after careful consideration over whether he wanted to be considered for the role. Some feel that the lengthy period it took for him to make up his mind may have swayed the board’s decision. He was however invited to apply for the position and stated that he was upset not to be given the job.
“I put myself up for the job and once I did that I knew there might be disappointment. It took me long enough to decide and once I didn’t get the job I was very disappointed.”
MacDonald publicised that his decision to go back to the reserves was in order to give himself a chance to consider his future at the club.
“But the decision to go back and work with the reserves when Mr Houllier came in was totally down to me wanting to re-evaluate and see what I can – or want – to do.”
After taking charge of 6 fixtures since the departure of Martin O’Neill just 5 days before the season opener, the Scot revealed that he had got a taste for management and built confidence from his spell at the helm of Villa.
“I may need to re-think what I may want to do. I may want to be a manager. Some people might think I will make a good manager, some people might not – but I need to know for myself. Maybe I’ve gained a bit of confidence but I can’t say it’s changed me in any way.”
If Kevin MacDonald was to part ways after a 13 year spell with the club it would signify a massive blow to the Midlands club. The work that he has put in both with the academy and the reserves has been exceptional and has helped both sides to numerous trophy winning campaigns. Some of the players that MacDonald has brought through have excelled or are beginning to do so and the reserve team manager should be credited for developing a lot of recent talent at the club. It would be a big mistake to let Kev move on but I wouldn’t entirely blame him for being disgruntled and it’s certainly sparking rumours of some questionable events behind the scenes!
