Who is responsible for choosing Remi Garde’s successor? The Aston Villa decision makers profiled
Wednesday 30 March 2016 13:46, UK
Remi Garde left Aston Villa by mutual consent on Tuesday after just 147 days in charge, but who will be the man to succeed him?
That decision comes down to the Aston Villa board, which in the last three months has experienced a major re-shuffle that has led to the departures of chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt.
So with some new faces entering the doors of Aston Villa's dedicated football boardroom, who will be responsible for appointing Remi Garde's successor? We take a look at five of the key figures.
Steve Hollis
A Manchester City fan with an accountancy background, Hollis has held numerous high-profile roles for KPMG in the Middle East, Far East, USA and Europe before taking on the role of Aston Villa chairman in January this year.
He is also the current vice-chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
Hollis told Sky Sports News HQ that he has been frustrated at the club's transfer spending over the last few years and that things need to be fixed before big money is spent again.
Whoever does take charge of Villa should not expect to receive too much to play with next season.
Mervyn King
Aston Villa announced the appointment of Lord King of Lothbury, the former Bank of England Governor, to its board of directors on February 4.
The 67-year-old is known as a life-long Villa supporter and says he has been attending matches for over 55 years.
Villa chairman Hollis said of his appointment: "Mervyn successfully steered the Bank of England through the most turbulent economic headwinds in living memory.
"His appointment to the board is a huge boost as we plan our path back to more successful times."
David Bernstein
Bernstein became chairman of the FA in 2011, alongside the same role he filled for Wembley Stadium Limited since 2008.
Before that, Bernstein joined Manchester City in 1994 as a board member then became chairman in 1998. He was widely respected by Manchester City supporters for bringing stability to the club, leaving in 2010.
The Aston Villa role is his first with one club since. He told Sky Sports News HQ last week the club must be cautious of thinking too short-term if they are relegated.
"If we are thinking short-term or long-term, then it has to be a little bit of both," he said. "We have to mix sensible short-term thinking and long-term planning. We can't be too short-termist, but on the other hand we can't be thinking five years ahead because a lot will happen in the next year or two."
Adrian Bevington
Bevington is well known in the world of football mainly for his time working with the England team in his old role as Club England managing director.
He spent 17 years at the FA, holding a media role before taking on the position of head of media then director of communications.
Since leaving his role in 2015, Bevington has helped the Welsh FA plan their operations for Euro 2016 and also assisted Watford with a communications plan ahead of their return to the Premier League.
He was appointed to the Aston Villa board on March 29 and will work closely once again with David Bernstein.
Brian Little
Little is a former Aston Villa player and manager who was appointed as an advisor to the board on March 11.
The former Villa striker spent his entire playing career at the club from 1970 to 1980, scoring 60 goals in 247 appearances.
Little was Villa manager and led them to the League Cup in 1996, the club's last piece of major silverware. Earlier this year, he was appointed Jersey manager until the end of the season.
He won 68 of his 164 games in charge of the Birmingham club between 1994 and 1998, and also took charge of West Brom, Stoke and Leicester during his managerial career.
Little is highly respected among Villa fans, and his knowledge of football management should mean his input is vital when the club select their new manager.
