Over the past two days it has emerged that former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Martin O’Neill as Aston Villa manager. However, for all his experience, the Frenchman can hardly be considered as a step in the right direction for the Midlands club.
One of the potential risks in appointing Houllier is that he has been out of club management for three years since stepping down as Lyon boss in 2007, but more importantly, he has been out of the Premier League since leaving Liverpool six years ago in 2004. He has since held (less pressurised, well, maybe not anymore) the position as technical director of France.
Also at 63, Houllier’s health will no doubt be an issue – especially considering that he suffered a heart attack when managing Liverpool; since then the Premier League has become even more pressurised. The question is this: will the Frenchman be able to withstand the pressure cooker and the stresses and strains that go with it?
Perhaps a potential role as a Director of Football, which has been mooted in the press, would be a more fitting role for Houllier – meaning that Kevin McDonald would take control as manager, with Houllier being more of a figurehead. McDonald could well benefit from an experienced figurehead in Houllier, but could it work in the long-term?
Sadly, the Director of Football role is a much maligned role which divides opinion in British football and could potentially end disastrously for all involved, putting Villa back where they started. Looking for a new manager, once again.
When you look at the options available to Villa, you can see why they have plumped for Houllier. Neither Alan Curbishley nor Sven-Goran Eriksson are names that excite fans of any club because they are practically linked to every position that becomes vacant in the Premier League. The bookies did however stop taking bets on Everton manager David Moyes becoming the next manager, although now that looks to have come to no avail. The Scot would be very foolish to leave what he has been building at Everton.
Either way, no matter who is appointed, be it as manager or Director of Football, Villa won’t be able to do any dealings in the transfer market, so the man who takes charge will have to work with what is already there until the window re-opens in January. And with no distractions of the Europa League, the main aim will be to keep Villa inside the top ten. Currently, sixth place, where they have finished for three consecutive seasons, is a write-off.
Personally, I would keep McDonald on as a caretaker manager until January, or if not, the end of the season – Lerner is keen to make an appointment, we know that, but if a week is a long time in politics, then a season is like a lifetime in football. Who knows, come the summer, what other potential candidates could be available. For me, Houllier looks to be the wrong man for the job.
Tags: Aston Villa, Gerard Houllier, Managers
I watched an interview with Jason McAteer the other day which has left me feeling that Gerard is definitely not the man for Aston Villa. Jason described him as being aloof, hard to approach and stated that he never got involved in training sessions etc. Although I’m sure this type of management style happens all round the world the fact that MON was such a hands on manager and had great man management skills (if he liked you) seems a million miles away from Houllier’s approach. I’m worried this style will lead to an exodus of players who have been use to a more open management style.
Plus I don’t want Phil Thompson at the club…. I don’t care if he’s an amazing coach; he’s a Liverpool supporter…
I find this to be a hugely problematic appointment, largely because it doesn’t seem particularly ambitious, risky or clever. And also because Houllier’s transfer market nous has been questionable over the years.
His role with the FFF should give Villa access to some bright young French players. I trust that he did a decent job there and that can only be good for Villa.
However, what worries me is the management structure that might result or - more accurately - that his appointment in any kind of Director of Football role would mean that Villa’s first team manager would probably be Kevin MacDonald, an appointment of which I thoroughly disapprove. Steve Staunton’s potential involvement doesn’t bear thinking about.
Like Gavin, I don’t want Phil Thompson at the club. Not because he’s a Liverpool supporter, but because he’s a complete gobshite.
“Currently, sixth place, where they have finished for three consecutive seasons, is a write-off.”
Bold statement with absolutely no basis in evidence there.
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