Alex McLeish hopes for calmer Aston Villa new year
Saturday 31st December 2011, 8:21AM GMT.
Alex McLeish today reflected that 2011 has been a “rollercoaster” as he aims to get Villa punching above their weight next year.
The Scot won the Carling Cup with Birmingham City at Wembley in February, then suffered the heartbreak of relegation with Blues on the final day of the season.
McLeish then controversially crossed the Second City divide to replace Gerard Houllier as Villa boss in the summer and has been charged with steadying the ship after the excesses of the previous two regimes.
“It’s been quite eventful. It’s been quite a year, I’ve got to say, a rollercoaster. There were some great moments and there were obviously some moments that were tough. But you’ve got to get back up,” said McLeish.
He has been given the mandate of bringing down Villa’s wage bill in 2012 and foresees a year of making the most of the existing resources at his disposal.
“I’d like to see a bit of stability at the club and a team that I can really trust,” added McLeish
“My job as a manager is to try to get the best out of these guys and maybe even to get some guys to punch well above their weight. In 12 months time I would hope that we are heading in the right direction.”
UK Sport
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