After Keith Wyness, Steve Round and Brian Little worked their way through a series of managerial options, it now looks like it’s a matter of days/hours before Steve Bruce is announced as the man for the job. After being rumoured to be connected with so many managers in such a short space of time, let’s have a look at what the papers are saying as and Villa’s quest for a new man in charge is finally wrapped up.
Wagner Ruled Out
After being linked with David Wagner so heavily due to his positive work at Huddersfield, those links have finally been put to bed by reports from The Guardian. They claim that Huddersfield’s Chairman, Dean Hoyle, has spoken to Wagner and has been given a clear word of loyalty from his Head Coach. So despite Villa’s ambitions to rob the Terrier’s of their trendy new manager, it’s clear that he’s unlucky to leave for another Championship club after such a brilliant start to the campaign
Steve Clarke – What’s Next?
Once Roberto Di Matteo was shown the door by Tony Xia, Steve Clarke took the role of Caretaker Manager and whilst Villa’s search was going on for some fresh blood, many still believed that Clarke had a chance of getting the gig himself. MOMS mentioned how Clarke was a decent stop-gap and would give the club time to make a proper decision, and also was perhaps a better option than most on the bookmakers’ list.
Furthermore, The Birmingham Mail wrote a piece on Steve Clarke’s credentials as the new Caretaker, hinting at how he could be the man to lead us back to the Premier League himself if given a chance by the owner. Clarke would still certainly be a decent option and it’d be interesting to see whether he leaves if he doesn’t get a stab at the main job.
Steve Bruce Incoming
Now for the shoe-in. Steve Bruce becoming our new manager has been heavily reported over the last few days with the Bookies’ slashing his odds and then many papers writing reports on how he’s been interviewed and has become the favourite for the job.
The Guardian have reported on how Steve Bruce spoke on Sky Sports’ ‘Goals on Sunday’ about how he has had talks with Villa’s board and is hoping he lands this “terrific job”. The sort of words that take the sting out of the fact he was involved with the Blues.
Furthermore, The Mirror declared that Bruce is actually set to be unveiled as Villa’s manager by the end of this week at the latest. Even stating that if Villa can sort out the contract quick enough, our new man could even be in charge for the Wolves game on the Saturday night.
MOMS expects it will be wrapped up by midweek.
Despite Steve Bruce’s past links and despite many people’s snobbery about his record in the Premier League, for the here and now, Bruce is perhaps the best man to lead us forward. Especially since there doesn’t seem to be too many other legit options.
He’s got bags of experience and has a plethora of Championship promotions on his CV.
Bruce certainly has a reasonable hand of players to get started with and should have some success, if he can kick some rear ends into action.
At least now the silly season of manager candidiates rumours can be put to bed.
UTV
Follow Chad on Twitter – @ChadBillyWrenn
Follow MOMS on Twitter – @oldmansaid
Football purists will be disappointed. Those days focused on realism won’t be.