The Villa Curse Of Scottish Managers?

2big4seatswannastand asks ‘Is it ‘cos he is Scottish?’

Paul Lambert is Scottish.

He had a wonderful playing career, and has had considerable success in the early stages of his managerial career.

However at Villa he is fighting for both his and Villa’s survival. He is also fighting the curse of Scottish managers in Villa’s recent history.

Whilst Aston Villa’s very formation was very strongly influenced by those from north of the border, in the last 50 years, the record of Scottish managers is nothing short of catastrophic.

The figures don’t lie.

Welsh managers 199 games – 88 wins – 44.2%.

English managers 1810 games – 748 wins – 41.3%.

Irish managers 321 games – 127 wins – 39.6%

Continental managers 85 games – 30 wins – 35.3%

Scottish managers 159 games – 41 wins – 25.8%

Four different managers contributed to this abysmal win percentage, Docherty, McNeil, McLeish, and Lambert. All rubbish of course, but I can’t help wishing we had appointed an Englishman. Saw Peter Withe at the game on Wednesday???

My own view is that Lambert is the right man. However he has not experienced managing an unsuccessful team before. He is on a severe learning curve himself, hence the many mistakes he is making. I believe he will come through this an even better manager, and if he stays Villa will benefit.

Sadly, I suspect he will not get the time he needs and it will be another club that reaps the benefit of his Villa experience.