23 Oct 2026 21:03:27
I think it's now a case of when Carrick is removed rather than if.
The problem we now face is finding the right replacement. This will be difficult as I suspect many of the top choice options will have multiple clubs to choose from and I doubt we are many top managers first choice right now.
Conte seems to want it, but I'd have big reservations over him, he also is the antithesis of what the club have said they are looking for since the INEOS take over. It would represent the club making a 180 degree U-turn.
Nagelsman would on paper looks like a solid option, but there are political ramifications that might make it a tough deal. He is tactically astute, but has had a few fallings out, and has been described as a little eccentric at times.
Of the more viable options Unai Emery is probably the pick of the bunch, tactically astute, knows the EPL, multiple winner, has a proven track record of improving players, and building a squad through a transition period, and he has big club experience. The downside is that Villa will want a massive fee to release him from his contract.
The other viable option is Eddie Howe, who might not be as glamorous, but also ticks many of the boxes. I think we need to stop seeing ourselves as a top club that needs a tweak, and understand that we need someone who has the experience and drive to rebuild us. Howe does have experience of that with Newcastle. He might not be the guy who ultimately sees us through, but he has proven that he's very good at building that foundation to build on.
Realistically I see it boiling down to either Emery or Howe, both would be an improvement on Carrick, but Emery is clearly the better choice. Ultimately it looks like it will be whether the club sees the value in spending 30m or so to get the better manager, or to save on cost and get the discounted version.
23 Oct 2026 21:08:16
I think you already know the answer to your own question there shappy. We will take the cheaper option and the one the will offer the least resistance.
23 Oct 2026 21:34:07
A 180 degree turn from what exactly? I sure as s*** don't know what the direction is and neither do they. Wasters!
24 Oct 2026 11:42:28
Keefy, the clubs vision is to have a consistency across multiple managers. They want a DoF who'll put that vision in place, a style of play, a consistency of squad building and recruitment. Which is why they advertise the job as head coach and not manager.
They want to move away from the previous model where you'd be reactive and lurch from one manager to another, whose style of play and philosophy are polar opposites, and then allow that manager to dictate the recruitment to suit their style of play, only to be left with a disjointed, Frankenstein squad with no identity when you inevitably sack the current manager. This was one of the things that caused tension with EtH who was hired by the previous regime, specifically as a manager.
However, Conte is supposedly demanding total control, over style of play, over transfers, he even wants specific people in upper levels of management (DoF). He is demanding the keys to the kingdom and total freedom to take the club wherever he wants.
That is the complete opposite to what the new management have been repeatedly been saying is their aim for the club.
24 Oct 2026 13:31:03
Any competent directors would get the best man for the job. I think that would be Emery.
But we don't have competent directors. They won't want to spend any money so it's cuts the field down to who is unemployed right now.
They won't touch conte as they know he will call them on their BS. Wilcox wants Howe apparently, and he always seems to get his way.
So Eddie Howe will be the next manager/coach.
24 Oct 2026 17:49:34
Shappy,
How do you think the clubs vision has worked out so far since Ineos got involved?
24 Oct 2026 21:07:39
Reactive and not lurch from one manager to another! And yet here we are.