Kevin MacDonald backed for Aston Villa hotseat by Graham Taylor

02 September 2010 12:34
Taylor - who today embarked on a four-day charity bike ride from London to Paris in the company of 'Miss England' and 298 others raising money for the Royal British Legion - sung MacDonald's praises to Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner on being asked for his thoughts as to the best way forward for the club in the post-O'Neill era. [LNB]He explained that he would be an excellent choice in the role of head coach, telling Telegraph Sport: 'Where he should be is out there on the training pitch, bringing players on and in charge of team selection. He is well respected, and he is a strong man. Just as he should not be judged on winning 3-0 against West Ham one week, he should not be judged on losing to Newcastle the next.' [LNB]Taylor, Villa manager between 1987-1990 and 2002-03, believes that assuming the role of first-team coach would allow MacDonald to showcase the man-management skills and aptitude for developing talent that has made him successful as reserve team manager, while leaving the politics of negotiating contracts, scouting and signing players to a more experienced operator. 'This is the way football is moving,' Taylor said. [LNB]It could well be in this regard that Gerard Houllier is being considered by the Villa board. Rumours began circulating this morning that the former Liverpool manager could be involved, perhaps in the role of technical director to assist MacDonald. [LNB]The club have also been interviewing other candidates this week, Alan Curbishley and Sven Goran Eriksson among them, but a source close to one of the managers involved expressed his concern that the process was merely a cosmetic one. [LNB]He pointed to the manner in which MacDonald let it be known he wanted the role - unlikely to have been made without feeling he had considerable support within the club given the three weeks of prevaricating which came before it - as evidence.[LNB]

Source: Telegraph