Let The Assistant Speculation Begin

Phil Thompson, Steve Staunton, Kevin MacDonald, Gary McAllister, Dieter Hamann or tonight's favourite...Patrice Bergues?

Now despite there being no official confirmations what so ever for all the names mentioned, plenty have had their say and seen their blood pressures rocket, so if nothing else at least we can keep a record here of all the nonsense links - much like the links for the manager - that surfaces from the press and inventive minds

Okay, Phil Thompson is out, no quotes which is strange given his media profile, but SSN tonight wished to say 'he confirmed he turned the role down due to family reasons'. Quite why that revealing interview hasn't aired or played any part in Sky's coverage that Thompson wouldn't be joining us will speak volumes to many, whereas some will use it as proof that the whole thing is a farce and that Hoooooolier is a second choice manager who now has to appoint a second choice assistant.

I digress.

I've no idea where the Hamann and McAllister links came from, but I praise the inventiveness of journalistic licence and will move swiftly on.

Kevin MacDonald seems likely to play 'a part' in the first team coaching staff, and given discussions on him have been done to death by everybody I'll just add he's my favourite for the No 3 shirt.

Stevie Staunton was interviewed on the Houllier appointment tonight on SSN and confirmed he had not received a single telephone call in relation to any role at B6.

That however didn't stop the interviewer from asking if he'd be interested in the job....I wonder if it's possible for anybody to say 'no?'

Steve answered he'd rather be on the training ground than in the studio which is hardly an inspiring answer as it's what you'd expect any wanna be manager to say.

He also added Villa was in his heart so 'watch this space' - let the conspiracies begin!

So onto my favourite for the No 2 role simply because it makes more sense than the other names linked so far, Patrice Bergues.

He's name checked tonight in the Grauniad as 'somebody' who worked with Hoooooolier at both Liverpool and Lyon.

Bergues would offer Hoooolies the friendly face all new managers like when joining clubs - most go out and sign somebody to help them influence the dressing room, he doesn't have that luxury until January at the earliest - so a No 2 who knows him, his ethos and presumably knows how he works well enough to carry out his tasks without too much interference makes the most sense.

That would leave Kev Mac as 3rd coach and the vital link to the players, somebody who knows them, their strengths, their weaknesses and make sure the new guy doesn't do daft things like expecting Heskey to play in defence, or Albrighton to go in goal.

Now let's get rifles at the ready and see who else gets linked over the next 24 hours, think I'll have an outside bet on Jean-Pierre Papin.

Vital Villa on:

Vital Villa on:

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.