A Revolting Manager Selection At Villa?

Well, the press seem to be all over the Gerrard Houllier link.

The Daily Star reports Paul Hetherington & Harry Pratt say that Villa tried and failed to lure Everton boss David Moyes to Villa and so are going to go with a joint manager set up with Houllier and Kevin MacDonald in charge.

They say Houllier will also be responsible for 'overseeing the development of the club' with MacDonald doing the coaching.

There seems murmurs of 'disaster' from some fans and I must admit, I'm not sure a 63-year-old with a worrying health record due to his heart problems alongside a man who was constantly unsure whether he actually even wanted to be considered for the job is the dream package. However, on the flipside Big Mac knows the club inside out and gets on with the players and as this report (and other reports we've covered this week) Houllier did help Lyon win titles in 2006 and 2007 + got the treble for Liverpool many moons ago.

This report says that his experience in setting up a Europe wide scouting network is of most interest.

Now they repeat.... which is a rumour I perhaps started the other day... So Now The Press Say Houllier But No Sven! ahem, cough cough.. that Big Mac will bring in Steve Staunton but a poster on Villa Talk apparently spoke with Stan the other day and he said it wasn't true...

Ok, this is where it gets interesting...

The News Of The World say that the players are revolting.

No, not literally, but Greg Gob ere the reporter, says that some senior players are not at all happy with the suggestion of this appointment and it will will spell the end of their career at the club.

Ah, happy days are here again!

Apparently both Brad Friedel and Stephen Warnock were unhappy under Houllier at Liverpool. both endured unhappy spells at Anfield under the French coach.

Ah now, this is interesting because it matches my information, they say Previous manager Martin O'Neill left after causing friction in the dressing room. The loss of a dressing room is usually the end isn't it? So if Houllier was brought in and the players weren't happy from the start?

Nothing is ever simple is it?



I would also point out this is only press talk, we don't know for a fact that Houllier is in contention ... remember it wasn't long ago they were telling us that USA coach Bob Bradley was coming, something that was 100% not true in any way, shape or form.

The report... click here for full report: The News Of The World quotes a Villa source said: "When it was revealed Houllier was the favourite for the Villa, it went down like a lead balloon with a couple of the players. You can't underestimate the strength of feeling, especially of someone such as Brad Friedel who felt he had no relationship with Houllier when he was at Anfield."

The press are also widely reporter Houllier quotes as he was over here for the Jamie Carragher testimonial saying, "Never and always are the two words you can't use in football."

Just been told there was a fairly positive analysis of this on the Sky programme Sunday Supplement, I'll give it a quick watch and summarise if the points raised add anything to the debate.

Oh, the Star also point out that Houllier is currently technical director of the French Football Federation...gulp, how did their World Cup go again! :o)

Does make sense someone with experience but really split on these joint set ups and reports are suggesting he would want to have a say in the tactics and team selection, so how does that work?

As said, all just press talk, he might not be an option OR he might be the perfect option in a set up that suits both him and Big Mac... who knows?

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