Following Martin O’Neill’s shock walkout we bring you the odds and analysis for the race to become the new Aston Villa manager. Where is the smart money for the new man in charge at Villa Park?
Martin O’Neill stunned the footballing world this week by dramatically announcing his Villa Park exit just 5 days before the Barclays Premier League big kick-off on Saturday August 14th. The timing of the Northern Irishman’s exit probably couldn’t be much worse, with the club set to lose James Milner in a week that could undermine Villa’s season before a football has been kicked in anger.
Kevin MacDonald has been installed as caretaker boss but it would constitute a big surprise if O’Neill’s former right hand man is given the job on a full time basis. That leads us to look at the other contenders in the frame with Villa aiming to have a new man in charge before their second league game of the season against Newcastle at St James’s Park on Sunday 22nd of August.
The contenders
Reports suggest the Villa’s American owner Randy Lerner has begun shortlisting for the post and the bookies have been quick to formulate the odds. According to Sky Bet 3 of the top contenders are Sven Goran Eriksson, Bob Bradley and Gareth Southgate.
Former England Chief Eriksson would be an interesting choice and he is the Sky Bet favourite at 11/8. It’s well known that Sven is keen on a return to the Premiership and the Swede’s concilatory style may appeal to Lerner following his dealings with the firebrand that was Martin O’Neill. This isn’t the first time that Sven has been linked with Villa either – they were the club involved when Eriksson was famously caught out by the News of the World’s ‘Fake Sheikh’ shake-down. Eriksson seemed eager to move the Midlands then, albeit under some false pretences, he also seems to fancy the position now with some of his people making the right noises in the media.
Pros: Proven track record, builds strong relationships with playing staff, diplomatic demeanour may appeal to owners.
Cons: Recent spells in charge of Ivory Coast and Mexico haven’t covered him in glory, likes a transfer budget (there may not be one at Villa Park), could Eriksson’s off-pitch antics damage Villa’s excellent reputation.
Bob Bradley will be the least familiar name of the three favourites for the job, although many more fans will be aware of the American following his side’s impressive World Cup displays. The pundits seem to be placing great stock in the fact that Lerner and Bradley are both American and therefore it could be a match made in heaven. We think this is a bit simplistic – has it even been proven that there is any kind of relationship between the two? What we do know is that Bradley is a solid organiser, much in the O’Neill mould, who has a knack of getting the best out of the players he has it his disposal. At 10/3 he could be worth a punt, but bringing in a coach without any kind of management record outside of the US would surely represent a massive gamble for a Premiership club. It is not like Bradley has a top record in a recognized strong league – the US Major League is still a long way off from being competitive and although he has done well with the USA national team, success at club and international are two very different beasts. Just ask Capello.
Pros: Gets the best from limited players, impressive World Cup 2010, the American connection may appeal to the owners.
Cons: No experience at club level in a top European League, potential fan backlash if things go wrong (Yanks out ala Newcastle’s anti-Cockney rhetoric)? May not be a signing that inspires the players and fans.
A surprising choice is former Boro chief turned pundit Gareth Southgate. His odds today lengthened to 12/1 but he is still considered one of the favourites despite an uninspiring few seasons down by the Riverside. Southgate oversaw the decline on Teeside and was replaced by Gordon Strachan a few games into last season – but his relative failures should be taken into context – the former England star was forced to sell many of his big name players. Southgate also never turned on his employer during this period despite the limitations being placed on him by the Board – it is believed Randy Lerner needs the next guy to ‘buy in’ to the Villa project of developing young players and ‘selling to buy’ – Southgate has shown before he is a man who can work in such paramenters. Southgate is no stranger to the club having spent 6 years at Villa Park and becoming club captain, however his spell at the club ended in acrimoney following a transfer request after the England man questioned Villa’s ambitions.
Pros: Knows the club and league well, willing to work within the clubs ‘sell to buy’ policy.
Cons: Lacks the wow factor to appease fans and players, track record of relegation, will almost certainly be seen as backwards step.
Other names in the frame include the newly available Steve Coppell (5/1) and caretaker Kevin MacDonald (4/1), with media sources today suggesting that MacDonald may be given an extended run in the hot seat. Coppell today questioned his own desire to be involved in the management side of the game so a switch to Villa seems to make little sense. Meanwhile McDonald is in possession of the shirt and his candidacy will live or die by the impact he makes in the short term as caretaker – we still think he’s a longshot and that 4/1 doesn’t represent value.
The exotic names
Some of the biggest names in world football have been linked with the Villa post including the readily available Jurgen Klinsmann and ex-Barcelona chief Frank Rijkaard. Both men have some big achievements on their respective CV’s and would surely generate a huge buzz around the club, but Sky Bet rates the German at 14/1 and European Cup Winning coach Rijkaard further back at 33/1. Other foreign coaches linked are Martin Jol (14/1), who recently played fast and loose with Fulham before deciding to stay with Ajax and another American coach – Bruce Arena at 25/1.
The outsiders
A possible outside bet could be a man like Sam Alllaryce with Villa an undoubted step up in club size and player pedigree from Blackburn Rovers. Big Sam is a 33/1 shot and is a man who knows how to wheel and deal on a budget. Former England bosses Keegan and Hoddle are both 40/1 and while it is difficult to see King Kev back in management, it has been reported that Hoddle is angling for a return to club management. If you want to burn your money then how about Big Ron Atkinson at 66/1 or Stan Collymore at 150/1.
All odds accurate as of 12th August 2010 on Sky Bet.
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