Is Alex McLeish wanted at Aston Villa?

Alex McLeish has resigned as manager of Birmingham City. The Scot quit via an email to acting chairman Peter Pannu.

The Birmingham board had kept faith with McLeish despite the club being relegated from the Premier League last month.

Villa

Alex McLeish is now one of the favourites to take over at city rivals Aston Villa.

The Villan’s were interested in appointing Wigan boss Roberto Martinez as their new boss but the Spaniard decided to sign a new contract at the DW Stadium.

Villa have also been linked with Everton boss David Moyes but the Scot has denied being interested in the post on numerous occasions. And another target former-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has decided to take some time away from football.

The two favourites with the bookmakers are now McLeish and former-Fulham boss Mark Hughes. Both are out of work and both have Premier League experience.

Decent

Alex McLeish had a decent career at Birmingham in his four years at St Andrews. He helped the club to promotion and won the Carling Cup. However last season went from sweet to bitter after the Blues were relegated on the last day of the season.

Rivalry

The rivalry between Aston Villa and Birmingham City has got very heated recently. If McLeish moved to Villa Park then he will be seen as a traitor by Birmingham fans. To quit the Blues and then move to Villa would be close to treason to the loyal St Andrews faithful.

Having read some of the comments on websites today it seems there is a minority of Birmingham fans who are glad to see Big Eck leave. I think even some of those fans wouldn’t want him to go to Villa.

Wanted?

Aston Villa fans don’t seem to want the 52 year-old to take their managerial position. Apart from the fact that his teams play ‘negative’ football, he is from the dark side of the city according to Villa fans.

Some Villa fans are even threatening to not renew their season tickets for next season if the former-Rangers boss takes control at St Andrews. The Villa hierarchy must read these comments, surely.

The appointment of McLeish by Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner wouldn’t be a popular one that’s for sure. And the Villa fans are not just judging McLeish on the fact that he used to manage City either. They are basing it on managerial ability.

The Villan’s fans really do have their doubts over whether he has the managerial ability to take Villa back where they want to be.

Wrong

I don’t believe that Alex McLeish is the right man for the Villa job. He is a decent boss but surely Villa can do better than the Scot. Aston Villa have so much potential and according to reports could have money to spend this summer.

I believe that if Mark Hughes is interested in taking the job then they shouldn’t hesitate in appointing the former-Fulham boss. Hughes has also had a decent managerial career with Manchester City and Fulham but I believe he can achieve more than McLeish.

He is looking for a new challenge and Aston Villa appear to be the sort of challenge he is looking for, a big club with good resources and a decent group of players.

The Aston Villa job is a challenge but it’s a club that would provide an opportunity for the right manager. However in my opinion Alex McLeish is not that manager.

Is Alex McLeish wanted by Aston Villa?