Why Aston Villa could (and should) give Tim Sherwood another chance
Another manager goes in and then very swiftly out of the revolving doors at Villa Park. This time, it was Roberto Di Matteo getting the boot following a run of poor results leaving the claret and blues in 19th in the second tier of English football...writes Luke Hatfield.
Villa's new owner was praised by fans when bringing in the Italian, with songs echoing throughout B6 during the manager's sole victory against Rotherham in August. But those songs, like Villa's points haul, quickly dried up.
Now, Dr Tony Xia needs to find Villa yet another manager, and one which will finally stop the rot - and he could call an all too familiar name back in from the cold.
Ask many of the Villa faithful what the club's best achievement was over the past three years and it's likely that you'll hear sentiments of trips to Wembley and whispers of 'Tactics Tim', and bringing him back might just be the right medicine for this bogged down club.
Jokes are made about Sherwood's winning percentage, but of Villa's most recent managers to take the hot seat, he's scores ahead. Di Matteo's short reign boasts just an 8% win rate, Remi Garde's French revolution offered a marginally better 13%. Other than that both Paul Lambert and Alex McLeish each languished below 30%.
Tim Sherwood leads the pack with over 35% - and that includes the horrific start to Villa's last Premier League campaign which heralded just 4 points from 10 games before his sacking.
However, even following his sacking, fans still hold Sherwood close to their heart, thanks to his passionate and direct approach and that memorable FA Cup run.
Following Di Matteo's departure, even the man himself couldn't help but be drawn into talking about the position and his suitability for it.
"I'm disappointed for Roberto. But he knows, as we all do, that it's a results business and if you don't get results you're going to be under pressure to lose your job," Sherwood said speaking to TalkSport following the news regarding Di Matteo's sacking.
"Would I consider it? Listen, I don't know these new owners. I was there under a different regime. But when you go into a club when someone wants to really pick it up and take it forward, then it's a great opportunity for any young manager.
"I certainly would be no different to anyone else."
Sherwood's mention of the new regime was no fluke. Having been burned by Randy Lerner's transfer policy and being forced into signing players he didn't want previously, having an owner like Xia would undoubtedly be a better fit. What's more, with the attacking flair at the club's disposal, even the players would suit Sherwood's direct and powerful philosophy.
On top of all this, the sheer lack of viable candidates which the fans would support also helps Sherwood's case.
Whilst Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Steve McLaren are all in the frame, none seem like real fan favourites. Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs and Dean Smith might not boast the experience to help them succeed in their push for promotion.
Other older Championship experienced heads may be preferred by some, but many fans might feel that now is the right time for the manager who previously got Villa Park rocking - even if it was just for seven short months.
Who knows, it could end up with another miraculous season-ending run - this time at the right side of the table...
