Thursday 5 November 2015 23:38, UK
Remi Garde believes he can keep Aston Villa in the Premier League but has warned fans he is not a 'magic man' who can turn around their fortunes overnight.
Garde takes over with Villa four points from safety following seven straight defeats in the Premier League, and he has the daunting task of facing leaders Manchester City on Sunday for his first game in charge.
Tim Sherwood was unable to do anything to halt Villa's slide to bottom place and Garde knows he faces a major task to get them out of trouble, although that is something he is confident he can achieve.
"I'm not a dreamer or a magic man, I have strong ideas," said the former Arsenal midfielder, who has appointed former Bastia coach Reginald Ray as his assistant.
"I haven't the certainty we will stay in the Premier League because the situation we are in is difficult but I have a strong belief we will do it.
"Maybe that was why I stopped at Lyon - because you need strong energy for what I want to do - but now I think there are things I want to change. That is not saying what went on before was wrong.
"There is not only one way to win games but I have my ideas and a strategy that I want to implement.
"In football, things can change. If I didn't think I could change things I would have said 'No, this job is not for me', but I've got the hope that we can do it.
"I don't know what happened before, I was not inside and I can't judge. I can only focus on what will happen from now on."
