Express & Star

Comment: Next Aston Villa manager must deliver a short-term fix and a long-term plan

How do you go about laying the foundations for long-term success, while also delivering a short-term fix?

Published

That is the conundrum facing whoever becomes Villa’s eighth permanent boss since August 2010.

While supporters might, not without reason, desire a manager who will implement a more attractive style of play, there will also be pressure on the new incumbent to achieve quick results and ensure the club remains in with a shout of promotion this season.

Mixing the two is far from easy. Yet it is sadly a necessity at a club which, thanks to years of poor planning and management, cannot afford to focus on the long-term at the expense of the short.

One of the major themes of Villa’s decline since Martin O’Neill walked out of the door has been the club’s constant changing of philosophy. They have tried almost every route possible – from experienced boss (Alex McLeish), to young prospect (Tim Sherwood), the fans’ choice (Paul Lambert) and the foreign tactician (Remi Garde). None worked and all were eventually discarded for a different approach.

Tony Xia’s decision to gamble on a quick return to the Premier League, meanwhile, meant Steve Bruce had little option but to worry about today and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Steve Round’s plans for the infamous ‘Villa Engine’ could only gather real steam if the club regained their top-flight status.

They didn’t and the consequences of missing out were there for all to see during a summer when Villa came within a whisker of entering administration.

The arrival of new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens has at least ensured the financial outlook is no longer apocalyptic.

Yet it remains far from rosy, chiefly due to the club’s ongoing battle to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations a few months from now.

That is why quick results must be achieved by whoever replaces Bruce in the hot-seat.

Talk of possible points deduction is far too premature. It is reasonable, however, to claim Villa’s fight to get back to the Premier League will only get tougher should they miss out on promotion again.

The departure of Bruce and his entire backroom team completed the dramatic overhaul which began with former chief executive Keith Wyness’s exit within two weeks of the play-off final defeat.

Since then Villa have acquired new owners and a new chief executive. They will soon have a new sporting director and new manager. Even the scouting department is receiving a complete overhaul.

It is a fresh start in every respect but implementing it when the season is in full flow comes with certain complexities.

Bruce discovered that much when he replaced Roberto Di Matteo two years ago. Initially able to get results, things got far trickier when he tried to make changes during the January transfer window.

The next manager will face a similar issue. Some players will buy into his methods, yet others won’t and the time to find the right formula will be limited.

That is not to say it is an impossible task, far from it. But it is tricky.

For Villa, it is going to require some canny management both on and off the field to guide them through another rocky period.