Harry Redknapp has urged Aston Villa to consider managerial options in the lower leagues, rather than look abroad for a solution.
The Midlands giants are in the market for a new manager following their decision to sack Tim Sherwood, who had failed to lead them to victory in the nine matches since the opening weekend of the season. With just four points on board, Villa are currently rock bottom of the Premier League table, and are once more heading towards a relegation battle.
Remi Garde, the former Lyon boss, and Saint-Etienne head coach Christophe Galtier are the current favourites for the job, whilst Real Sociedad’s David Moyes has also been mooted. Redknapp may be available immediately but he has ruled himself out of the running, and has instead urged the Villa Park club to consider looking at options in England outside of the top-flight.
“It’s a fantastic football club but I wouldn’t see myself getting that job,” he told talkSPORT. “It would be difficult for me now. There are managers in the lower divisions, when are they going to get a chance? How are they ever going to manage at a top level unless they get their team promoted? The only way you’re going to get into the Premier League is if you take your team up.
“There are loads of lads down there who could do the job, they just need the opportunity. It’s going to be a great job for whoever gets it. It’s all there for somebody to have a real go and make a success of it, even though they have lost some key players. You still feel there’s enough there for Villa to stay up and then hopefully you’ll get a bit of backing and take the club forward.”
Nigel Pearson is another potential candidate, having led Leicester City to promotion and kept them in the Premier League against the odds last season. He has also built a squad which Claudio Ranieri is now reaping the benefits of as they sit fifth in the table. Uruguayan Gus Poyet, sacked by Sunderland last term, has also been linked yet such an appointment seems unlikely.
