Aston Villa confirm former Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish as new manager

17 June 2011 09:07
By Sandy Macaskill[LNB]10:07AM BST 17 Jun 2011[LNB]Comments[LNB] It was confirmed this morning that the 52 year-old Scot will begin his duties after signing what is understood to be a three-year deal, thought to be worth £2.5 million a year. [LNB]He is the first manager since Ron Saunders exchanged Villa for Blues in 1982 to cross the Second City and in a bid to calm the stormy seas that are inevitably waiting for him he told supporters that he would "give absolutely everything" to convince fans he was the right choice. [LNB]McLeish, whose first game as Villa manager will be away at Fulham, said: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to manage a club with such a fantastic history as Aston Villa's. The heritage, the history of success and the tradition of Aston Villa are compelling and irresistible. The challenge for me is to try to add my own chapter. [LNB]"Since first becoming a manager at Motherwell, my desire to succeed and my energy and drive have never waned. My objective is to impart that drive and will to win to the players and fans of Aston Villa. [LNB]"I know that some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why. It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man to drive the club forward and I intend to give absolutely everything to prove that I can be a success at the Club." [LNB]Related Articles

Source: Telegraph