Jorge Mendes set to aid Aston Villa boss search
Super-agent Jorge Mendes could play a leading role in Villa’s search for Steve Bruce’s successor as Dean Smith, Thierry Henry and John Terry were named among the early front-runners.
Bruce was sacked yesterday following a run of just one win in nine Championship games.
Tuesday’s chaotic 3-3 draw with Preston, during which one supporter threw a cabbage at Bruce, ultimately proved to be the tipping point with the club’s board concluding they had no choice but to act in the wake of increasing fan anger. Bruce is understood to have been summoned to Bodymoor Heath yesterday morning where he was given the news by chief executive Christian Purslow.
The backroom team of Colin Calderwood, Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and goalkeeping coach Gary Walsh have also departed.
Under-23s boss Kevin MacDonald will take charge of Saturday’s trip to Millwall.
Purslow will now begin the hunt for a new manager, with Villa still to appoint their new sporting director. It is understood a list of Mendes clients will be considered, possibly including Shakhtar Donetsk boss Paulo Fonseca, with the super-agent wielding an increasing influence over events at Villa Park.
Former Walsall boss Smith, who grew up a Villa fan in Great Barr, is also in the frame and a popular choice among supporters due to his recent work establishing Brentford as promotion contenders.
Henry was first mooted in July following the arrival of new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
