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I don’t know if a player or manager has ever literally been ‘unveiled’, but I’d love to see it happen once and, given the odd nature of this whole appointment, this would have been an ideal occasion. Can you imagine if a claret & blue chequered sheet was whipped away matador style to reveal the new manager sheepishly sat there waiting for questions?
No? Just me then. Oh well.
However the introduction went down, the press conference officially introducing Alex McLeish as the new Aston Villa manager has just finished and, in keeping with the guts the man has shown in taking the job, he did it on his own. Randy Lerner was never likely to be involved, but it’s very interesting that Paul Faulkner didn’t take the opportunity to field the tough questions.
McLeish faced the media for a little over 15 minutes and spoke of the honour of joining a club as big as Aston Villa and his appreciation for the how big a deal his switch across the city is. He showed great self awareness of the opposition that will face him within the Villa ranks and the importance of getting good results early.
He was unable to comment much on the nature of his exit from Birmingham City because of the ongoing legal wrangle.
Asked about his back room staff, he said he was still working on it, but confirmed again that Gordon Cowans will remain as a first team coach. (If you weren’t aware, Gary McAllister and Robert Duverne have left the club).
On his own immediate ambitions at Villa: he said he’ll need to continue assessing the squad and look at training regimes, but described the squad as “cracking” with a blend of “experienced players, exciting players and young players”.
Asked about Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, Mcleish is obviously resigned to losing Ash, we all are, but expressed a desire to keep Downing if possible. He also confirmed interest from Rangers for Carlos Cuellar, but also wants to keep him at Villa Park.
He said that the goalkeeper position is his number one priority and has a few targets lined up. He wouldn’t be drawn on transfer budget, but mentioned “trading carefully”. He also mentioned this next season could be a “breakthrough season for some of the youngsters”.
Overall impression: he’s a likeable enough character and is humble about the task ahead, but feels that his experiences in Glasgow will help him through the challenges. He said the right things about the club, the “world class facilities” etc., and paid tribute to the youngsters coming through; something we’re all interested in seeing developed.
On a personal level; I’m still a bit stunned by the whole thing, but it’s done now, he’s saying the right things and giving the indications that he’s at least got the guts for the job, time will tell whether he’s really got the talent at this level.
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7 Comments to “Alex McLeish officially unveiled as manager”
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Thanks for the sum up. Interesting stuff, sounds like he didn’t put a foot wrong, lots of good reviews on twitter. His first big test is how he now operates in the transfer market. He needs to get some deals done quick, not impressed with the link to DJ Campbell, but would love to see Foster
No, he wasn’t my first choice….or 2nd…or 3rd….
BUT! Now that he IS our man, I have to say, I’m ironically a bit relieved. Relieved to just finally have a manager in place and finally now have the ability to look to transfers, etc. and to finally squash rumors of players growing weary of being in limbo over who would be their next boss.
Again, he wasn’t my top choice, but he’s in place and needs support. At the very least, he deserves a “clean slate” before we start attacking him any further.
McLeish certainly didn’t have our attacking forwards at Brum…and Villa DEFINATELY didn’t have McLeish’s traits of being tight on the back line last season so perhaps the combination of what McLeish actually did well across town coupled with a world class striker and Downing and Albrighton will provide us with those well-deserved 2-0, 2-1, 3-0 wins that we just couldn’t get on a consistant basis last term???
I also believe Duverne’s departure will be a massive in terms of club unity as I truly believe he was responsible for a lot of internal unrest.
A stand-up guy; good to see. I hope everyone can dial it down a notch, relax, and see what happens.
Maybe Young didn’t fit in the long-term plan anyway, but Downing needs to be kept, even if he walks at the end of his contract. At some point they just need to make a statement that this team will not be a feeder for the big clubs.
Lets just hope there is not another Nicola Zigic in the wings!!!!
He wont need Zigic…. he has the original big lump already…
Step forward Lionel Heskey!!!
It could have been worse. Glad u guys have that all settled. Hope u guys do well [as long as your behind NUFC]. -Jacob
Really you guys are very good! All the best!
Looking forward for a good change…….