Graham Taylor has been manager at Villa Park on two occassions, and although his second spell was not as memorable as his first, he remains well respected by most fans.
He was asked by BBC Sport just what he made of our search for a new manager, he said: ‘It just doesn’t appear to have been thought through and for the first time the ownership of the club is coming under severe criticism.
‘When Gerard became ill it must have occurred to them that he may not come back, even if the signs were that he may have returned.
‘This is not being disrespectful to Gerard in any way, but once he became unwell then you have to immediately start exploring what you might do if he does not come back.
‘It doesn’t appear to me and many others that this has been done. They seem to be going from name to name.’
Taylor has a point, given Houllier’s health was under question almost two months ago, plans could and should have been in place should he be unable to continue, as was the case.
He continued: ‘Villa don’t seem to have grasped that nettle at all. It is disappointing. I still live in the area and have a special feeling for them as you always do about clubs you have managed, but I have been surprised and disappointed at their handling of this.
‘It would be difficult though, because many Villa fans would not want a Birmingham man as their manager and many Birmingham supporters might see him as a traitor. He is a strong man though, and I think he could cope with that.’
I can’t imagine there are too many people out there who are mutually disliked by both Blues and Villa fans, McLeish is about to become one of a small number should he indeed replace Houllier.
Read the full article on BBC Sport
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