Next Aston Villa boss: Thierry Henry, John Terry and Dean Smith frontrunners to replace Steve Bruce
Dean Smith, Thierry Henry and John Terry are among the early front-runners as Villa begin the search for Steve Bruce’s successor.
Bruce was sacked today, just days shy of what would have been his two-year anniversary in charge, 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 Jorge Mendes clients will be considered, 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 as a replacement for Bruce in July following the arrival of new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
The France World Cup winner and Arsenal legend left a lucrative role at Sky Sports in order to pursue his managerial ambitions but is still without a club.
Latest odds:
Dean Smith - 2/1 Fav
Paulo Fonseco - 4/1
Thierry Henry - 4/1
John Terry - 8/1
Brendan Rodgers 8/1
Sam Allardyce - 10/1
Alan Pardew - 12/1
So too is Terry, the five-time Premier League winner who spent last season as captain at Villa Park.
The 37-year-old was linked with a possible playing return to Villa Park last month before turning down a contract with Spartak Moscow.
Bruce, who led Villa to last season’s play-off final, had been given the public backing of Sawiris and Edens during the summer.
But he failed to get the necessary results, while his relationship with supporters became increasingly sour.
A club statement issued on behalf of the board read: “We would like to place on record our gratitude to Steve and his team for their hard work and commitment.”
