The Fresh five: The candidates who could take over at Aston Villa
By Tom Hardy
With Steve Bruce out of the Villa Park hot-seat we take a look at five possible candidates who could potentially take over. At the time of writing, The Villains sit at a lowly 15th in the championship yet only remain 4 points off of the play-off places. So who could be the man to turn their fortunes around?
Thierry Henry
Henry looks set to reject the Villa job in favour of a move to France (Photo:AP)
The former Arsenal player who scored 175 Premier League in nine years at The Gunners is one of the favourites for the Villa job. Goal reported that the midland club had begun talks with the former French international who would be taking his first ever management role. However, with rumours circling in France of the imminent sacking of Monaco manager, Leonardo Jardim, many believe Henry will turn down the offer of a return to England in favour of a job in his homeland with his former club.
John Terry
Terry could be set to join as assistant manager if he fails to convince the board to give him the job full-time (Photo: AP)
The man who made over 700 appearances for his boyhood Chelsea is another former Premier League star linked with the vacant Villa post. Terry recently announced his retirement from football with his last spell in the game at Villa Park last year. He led the team to the Play-Off final where they narrowly lost to Fulham, resigning them to another season in England’s second tier. Rumours have been circling of Terry potentially coming in as an assistant manager at the club to gain experience before taking the top job in the future. Terry has been working towards his UEFA coaching licenses since 2014, the 37-year-old is aptly prepared for managerial life it seems.
Rui Faria
Rui Faria could be set to take his first senior management role (Photo: Manchester United)
Rui Faria, unlike Terry, has had plenty of time as an assistant manager working under Jose Mourinho. A 17-year spell across England, Italy and Spain, however, ended when he left Manchester United at the end of last season. Faria is the current favourite for the job due to Monaco’s interest in Henry with Terry, who he knows from their time together at Chelsea set to come in as his assistant if appointed. Villa fans will hope he brings Mourinho’s winning mentality and tactical nous to Villa Park as they look to return to the Premier League after a three season absence.
Dean Smith
Brentford manager Dean Smith would bring managerial experience at Championship level (Photo: Brentford FC)
The current Brentford boss is the first manager on this list with any managerial experience and could be an astute appointment for the seven-time FA cup winners. Smith, who himself is from the midlands with his dad, a former Villa steward has received praise for the attacking nature of his Brentford side which has seen them achieve back to back top ten finishes whilst currently sitting one place outside the play-off places. This achievement seems all the more impressive when comparing Brentford’s budget against what Smith may inherit if he took the Aston Villa job.
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke believes he can bring an attacking style of play back to Villa Park (Photo: Manchester United)
The former striker who scored 97 goals in 294 appearances for Aston Villa is the latest former professional to put his name in contention to replace Steve Bruce by firmly stating his interest in the job. A Championship winner with Sunderland under Roy Keane in 2007, but again Yorke is another candidate with no serious managerial experience. The Trinidad and Tobago forward stated that he knows Villa “inside and out” and few could argue having started his career in the Midlands, spending nine years there in the process. It remains to be seen if Yorke will be given the chance at his first crack in management at Villa Park.
