The 2011/12 Gary Speed Memorial Thread

[Matt]

I withdraw my offer then, because knowing my luck they'll draw the worst team possible in the FA cup third round and he'll bag 5

[Summers]

I've gone from "Oh god, not Rafa." to accepting and being quite excited. He did well at Liverpool, I've always loved Valencia and he did well there too. Bring him in. Better than Mark "What's Loyalty?" Hughes. And I secretly think McClaren could do a good job somewhere, but I don't want him to attempt to rebuild his image at Villa. Very good coach with a hugely tarnished national reputation. A small club should take a chance on him.

[Lineker]

But Villa are a small club .

Steve McClaren has been ruled out of the running for the Aston Villa manager's job, BBC Sport understands.

"McClaren has been told that at no point will he be interviewed," said BBC Radio 5 live Midlands football correspondent Pat Murphy.

"Owner Randy Lerner was influenced by the negative reactions of some Villa supporters on various fans forums and cancelled Thursday's meeting with him."

Rafael Benitez is favourite to take over from Gerard Houllier.

Villa are looking for a new manager after Frenchman Houllier quit in early June citing health reasons. The 63-year-old, who was in charge for only nine months, had missed the final month of the season because of heart problems.

"I understand Benitez is firmly in the frame for the Villa job but [former Fulham manager] Mark Hughes isn't," added Murphy.

[Summers]

So being above you in the all time league and being one of the most successful clubs in the country is small..? Okay.

[Pesci]

I would love Rafa to get the Villa job. I think Villa fans would be fools not to want a two-time La Liga winning, UEFA Cup and Chanpions League winning, FA Cup winning manager with a proven record of success in England. Oh, and he achieved all of that in the space of six seasons.

[Summers]

And his heart is in working order. Bonus.

--

sportingintel sportingintelligence

Benitez to be confirmed as Aston Villa manager within 24 hours. Schteve McClaren has been told he hasn't got it. #AVFC #lfc

sportingintel sportingintelligence

#AVFC spoke to Rafa 2day. McClaren told 2day not him.

sportingintel sportingintelligence

@pdol1 @rorysmith_tel I heard Rafa spoke/speaking to #avfc today. I heard Schteve told today 'not you'. Things can always change till anncd

[Lineker]

Heh, I was kidding. But McLaren does deserve another crack at the EPL, no doubt.

[Summers]

And now Sky say Rafa will NOT be manager. Hope they're wrong.

[Lineker]

SSN are now claiming that Rafa Benitez WILL NOT become the new Villa manager.

[Summers]

Never a dull moment at the Villa, jesus.

[Matt]

Bah, I just stuck £10 on it, went on Twitter, saw he was trending, clicked on it and now it's being reported he won't be manager. Bah. I could've at least waited half an hour to get better odds.

[Baddar]

SSN are now claiming that Rafa Benirez WILL NOT become the new Villa manager.

But what about Benitez!?

[Lineker]

Ugh, fuck off Baddar.

-1, you know the drill.

[EddieG]

Heh, I was kidding. But McLaren does deserve another crack at the EPl, no doubt.

Can it really be called the EPL anymore?

[Pesci]

EPL is what foreigners call it. It's called the Premier League or the Barclays Premier League, none of this EPL bullshit

[EddieG]

The same foreigners that don't realize the difference between England and Wales anyway.

[Lineker]

This is what happens when you work in Australian media for a year.

The ECB stands for the England and Wales Cricket Board, so the EPL still works.

[Baddar]

Yeah, Lineker, you fucking prick - not the EPL!

[EddieG]

Just noticed the subtitle.

[Baddar]

Just noticed the subtitle.

I noticed it straight away, but it did take me a day or so to realise Swansea were in the Premier League (!) and what it was all about.