I have to admit I am surprised Gerard Houllier has taken the Aston Villa job.
Of course the announcement didn't come as a shock but when the rumours first surfaced I didn't think it would actually happen, for a number of reasons.
First of course is Gerard's health. I was there the day he had actually had his heart attack and was rushed to hospital and it only seems like yesterday. I did think that the Premier League, with all the pressure it brings, is something he would want to steer clear of.
Houllier: surprising - but safe - appointment, says Jamie
At his age, I would've thought he his job with the French Football Federation was enough to keep him involved in the game in a role that suited him down to the ground.
But maybe, because it all went a little wrong for him at the end at Liverpool, he feels he still has a point to prove. Gerard pretty much changed my life by making me captain of Liverpool, but we are no longer in touch, so I don't really know his motivation for taking the job.
It's become clear that Randy Lerner is not going to spend too much on the side, which might suit Gerard Houllier; he'll have to work with what he's got.
Jamie Redknapp
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Aston Villa are 2/1 to make a winning start under Gerard Houllier at Stoke on Monday evening, Villa are 20/1 to win 2-0.
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But I do know his strengths and weaknesses and maybe he is the right man for Villa.
I say that because I always thought he was excellent with the young players and we know that squad has a nucleus of good youngsters like Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and Fabian Delph.
Weaknesses
I remember him being very good with the kids at Anfield and he was always drumming into the likes of Jamie Carragher (who was young back then!), Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen how important it was to look after themselves off the pitch. I still remember him coming out with the famous line: "You wouldn't put diesel in a Formula One car".
In that respect he will fit in well at Villa. And maybe one of his weaknesses will suit them down to the ground as well, because I do think he struggled when it came to signing new players to take our team on to the next level. He brought in people like El Hadji Diouf, Bruno Cheyro, Salif Diao and Igor Biscan.
It's become clear that Randy Lerner is not going to spend too much on the side, which might suit Gerard; he'll have to work with what he's got.
I do think a lot depends on who he brings in as his number two. It's great for us at Sky - and all of you Soccer Saturday fans - that Phil Thompson has ruled himself out, but Gerard clearly wants Patrice Bergues. His role was vital, particularly when it came to making substitutions, because as I remember it, he usually made the calls.
I still think Villa might have given it to Kevin MacDonald, because he said he wanted it - eventually - and listening to the players, they clearly liked him.
Gerard is one of those 'old-fashioned' managers who likes to have control of everything that goes on in the club, so he needs good coaches to rely on. If Bergues doesn't join him, then I see no reason why Kevin can't be that number two he needs.
Miracle
But Gerard is probably a safe pair of hands more than a bold, brave appointment. People might say it lacks ambition, but realistically what are the expectations at Villa Park? If he gets them into the top six, then he'll have performed a miracle.
I know Villa are a big club, but they are already starting way behind Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. Add to that Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenhama and Everton and you can see, whatever the supporters think, that they have no God-given right to expect to finish that high. Only time will tell just what an impact Gerard can have.
One thing he will find out a lot quicker is that the Premier League is even tougher, even less forgiving than it was in his Liverpool days - starting at Stoke on Monday night.
That's a tough, tough game for anyone, never mind a manager coming into a new club. The atmosphere at the Brittania is terrific and it will be even better on a Monday night with our cameras there. I don't think he can expect to go there and get three points and if Villa can come away with any sort of result, that will be a decent start.
I just have a feeling with Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jermaine Pennant coming in, Stoke will have enjoyed the international break and will be right up for this.
I wouldn't be surprised if they edged it by the odd goal. Welcome back to the Premier League, Gerard!
Comments (15)
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Phil Smith (Aston Villa fan) says...
GH wouldn''t have been my No.1 choice initially, but to be honest I for one am happy with his appointment, the best of what was available to a club of our size. We have to realise sooner rather than later that we''re NOT a massive club anymore, blessed with a bottomless pit unlike some others, (do i really need to say who ??) and that the top 4,at the moment IS out of our reach; too small a squad and no real depth of quality.To be honest there are a number of teams who along with Villa will be battling for positions 5-10 this season. GH''s press conference was as expected, an honest evaluation of where we are as a club right now, and that silverware is our best chance short term to possibly enable us to progress long term. (European qualification via cup success, try and stay in Europe for a while, money into the club and attract better quality players etc) Hopefully with his encyclopaedic knowledge GH can unearth a few Hyypia type buys/finds and with his tactical nouse give us what we NEVER had under MON, a plan B !! (Good to hear that KMac''s staying with the kids etc) Whether the fans wanted him or not , he''s the man at the helm now, he''s OUR number 1 so lets get behind him and welcome him to our club, THE pride of the midlands. Come on you lions, VTID.
Posted 17:00 10th September 2010
Richard Nugent (Liverpool fan) says...
I think this is a very astute assesment from Jamie. He''s not a renouned world beater, but at the same time, he has a proven history of delivering trophies. He may not be what every Villa fan wants as they look to step up another level, but given what has gone on in the summer, I think you''ve got to look at this appointment as a decent one. Given time, he will stabilise their club and will enjoy a decent record in the cups. P.s. Jamie, when are you going to get yourself caught up in this coaching malarkey? Every week you prove you''ve got it in you in your blog. Next England manager perhaps!?
Posted 13:00 10th September 2010
Trevor Brash (Sunderland fan) says...
I think Houllier will be a good steadying influence for Villa. He''s got a tough task though - not only does he have to look at Everton, Liverpool, Man City above or around him but also at teams like Sunderland, Stoke, Blackburn etc all striving to get up to the next level as well. Results last year showed that pretty much any team in the Prem has a chance of beating any other team on a good day.
Posted 12:41 10th September 2010
Guy Ravindra (Liverpool fan) says...
Dewald, you clearly have no idea about football, and based on your last comment, you should stop talking about football. How are villa better than Liverpool? Take Torres and Gerrard out the team? Why would you? They both play for Liverpool! I think them two could beat Villa by themselves. By the way, Houllier is an inspired appointment by Lerner. Best decision he''s made since appointing o''neil.
Posted 11:31 10th September 2010
Thomas Deary (Liverpool fan) says...
I agree with what Jamie has said and as a Liverpool supporter i to am glad to see Gerard back. With 100% confidence i am not worried or threatened by Villa and never will be I do feel for some Villa supporters who get carried away with there expectations and all i can say to those who think they are on the same level of Liverpool, Everton and Spurs is just watch the next 9 months as it may prove to be a little more painful than you think. The youth players at Villa will be judged when they make a step up to a Liverpool, Everton, Spurs or Birmingham. Lets just hope Gerard can stop them from being greedy and blind like Milner and Barry and have them more professional and loyal like Gerrard ans Carragher.
Posted 11:09 10th September 2010
Carl Horne (Liverpool fan) says...
I think aston villa have made a dcent appointment but im sure an english manager would have done much better houllier did have some great times and make alot of great signings for us such as smicer hypia henchoz but then there was also tit camara biscan diao diouf he let anelka go aswell so yeh im not sure how we will do just dont let him ruin your team like he and rafa did with us
Posted 10:55 10th September 2010
Dewald Dunckley (Aston Villa fan) says...
We are behind Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, and Man City. But we are in exactly the same class as Everton and we are defiantly better than Liverpool. The time has come for Liverpool supporters to accept that they are not the club they used to be, if you take Gerrard and Torres out of the team you are left with nothing. At least villa can bring on youngsters that are promising, while Liverpool starts with players like Lucas and maybe even Konchesky . Expectations are still high for Villa fans. I don¿t think we will be able to improve on last year, but anything worse than seventh place would be embarrassing. Don¿t speak for Villa fans Jamie, we don¿t want Houllier, Liverpool can take him.
Posted 10:12 10th September 2010
Nick Salter (Aston Villa fan) says...
Gerard Houllier has won more cups than, Alladyce, O''Neill, Curbishley, Sven & Mark Hughes put together! Aston Villa are not going to win the Premiership anytime soon, so based on that Villa have probably made the right appointment.
Posted 09:32 10th September 2010
Steven Dunne (Aston Villa fan) says...
When it came down to it, the other managers that were up for the job didnt have the Credentials Gerard Houllier has. Alan Curbishly is a good Manager for a mid table team like Blackburn or Bolton, but after 3 Consecutive 6th placed finishes, to appoint a manager that has won no major trophies or never managed a big team like Liverpool (or if MON case Celtic) would be madness. Martin O'' Neill had the right Credentials or Medals to back him up, and so does Gerard Houllier. Give him a chance, you never know what might happen.
Posted 09:23 10th September 2010
Paul merlre Stroud (Aston Villa fan) says...
i am the only aston villa fan. down here in the south atlantic ocean so come on the villa paul stroud gook luck villa
Posted 09:19 10th September 2010
Dean Woodhams (Aston Villa fan) says...
Amazingly good article for Jamie Redknapp!! I do disagree about his comments that Liverpool, Everton and Spurs are much different to us though, first 11 against first 11 I think we can match those, it is the squad that lacks, and Everton are in the same position. With the bigger squads of City & Spurs though there is going to be player unrest as they get few games. I think we can now talk top 8 in the Prem and the 2 most likely to slip out are Villa and Everton if injuries hit, else i would see the Top 8 remianing the same, Top 2 solid, next 2 pretty sure (Arsenal,Man city) ... the remaining 4 could be any order?
Posted 08:33 10th September 2010
Adam G (Aston Villa fan) says...
Im not too surprised over this appointment. I agree with the way that the Premier League has changed though and I wonder if Houllier can cope with that. But he will be a far better scout then MON ever was
Posted 06:57 10th September 2010
Paul Sanderson (Aston Villa fan) says...
As a Villa fan, I speak for most of us when I say that we never felt we had a god given right to a top six spot. However, under O''Neill, based on 110% effort of every single player, thats what we have managed the past couple of seasons. If Houllier can get the same commitment from the players, and motivate them to the same high levels, then it can be achieved with the players we have currently. Thats nothing to do with god given rights, its about high hopes for a great club.
Posted 06:30 10th September 2010
Gavin Cutch (Everton fan) says...
your completely right in saying that villa will struggle. Its a tough league and the team is at a bit of a rocky point. too long of a transition between managers at the wrong time. everton need to regain their foothold too and i feel that in the battle between those two everton will win. good article
Posted 21:26 9th September 2010
Benjamin Button (Aston Villa fan) says...
Good article Jamie, no chance of Stoke turning us over though. With Gabby back, 2-1 Villa. Good luck Gerard, up the V''s!
Posted 20:36 9th September 2010
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