Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Gerard Houllier close to becoming Aston Villa boss
Monday 6th September 2010, 11:20AM BST.
Villa expect to announce the appointment of Gerard Houllier on Thursday as the Frenchman today edged closer to becoming their new manager.
The 63-year-old had been expected to be confirmed as Martin O’Neill’s replacement at Villa Park today or tomorrow, but the deal has been delayed over some minor complications which club officials are confident of smoothing out in the next 48 hours.
It is understood Houllier, who is currently a technical director for the French Football Federation, will assume full control of affairs in a traditional managerial role, rather than the director of football position he was initially expected to take up.
Reports today claim he could bring his former No. 2 at Anfield, Phil Thompson, with him while still finding a role for current caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald among his coaching staff.
Villa are keen for MacDonald, the club’s reserve-team manager, to remain and he is likely to be given a say on whether he remains with second-string boss or takes on a first-team coaching role. And the Frenchman has been given a glowing reference by the only other foreigner to manage Villa, Dr Jozef Venglos.
“I know Gerard very well,” said the Czech. “He’s a very good friend of mine. I am sure that Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier are right for each other.
“It is a very good, well-run football club and Gerard is an excellent, experienced coach so they will work well together. I have met him many times and I respect him very much. He has shown his qualities in different countries.”
Houllier has fought off competition from MacDonald, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Alan Curbishley, who were also interviewed for the post last week.
The Frenchman would not be drawn on speculation when he arrived for Jamie Carragher’s testimonial game against an Everton XI at Anfield on Saturday, saying: “Never and always are two words you can’t use in football.”
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