Aston Villa’s players have been told there will be a new manager in place for the club’s next match, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim the Villa squad are expecting a new man in the dugout for the fixture at home to Swansea City a week on Saturday even though hopes of appointing Thierry Henry as Steve Bruce’s replacement have “receded”.
The Times report Henry has been offered the Villa post after Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers ruled himself out on Sunday but the Arsenal legend is now a strong target for Monaco, the club where he began his glittering playing career.
It said that John Terry and former Manchester United and Chelsea number two Rui Faria are potential options for Villa, who are working through a managerial shortlist.
OPINION
Have the Villa hierarchy pushed themselves into a tight spot by guaranteeing to the players a new manager will be in place within the next 10 days? It appears to be that way as new chief executive Christian Purslow tries to make his mark by hiring the man who will lead Villa back to the promised land of the Premier League. Certainly, Purslow is under pressure to recruit a manager who will excite the supporters, get the best out of possibly the finest squad in the Championship and make an immediate mark. Yet, surely Purslow and the new owners would be better off getting the right man rather than sealing the quickest deal possible. What difference would it make if the Midlands giants secured their new manager in late October or early November? Surely, the most important thing is to do due diligence and hire the manager with the best possible chance of securing promotion this season, not rush into the wrong appointment because of some ill-conceived deadline.