Aston Villa: Mat Kendrick looks at the Kevin MacDonald situation
Sure, the players want to continue working with a coach they are familiar with and have developed a mutual appreciation for, but MacDonald also commands respect among Villa’s stars because he is an impressive operator when it comes to improving footballers of all ages and abilities on the training pitches.
In choosing his No.2, Houllier understandably wants someone he trusts and, although Randy Lerner will have recommended MacDonald for the role, they don’t come any closer than his ex-Kop confidante Thompson.
The sticking point is whether the Villa Park bench is big enough for the both of them – Thompson and MacDonald.
Will MacDonald want to be third in command when just days ago he was the one calling the shots, especially after the disappointment of declaring his interest in the top job and not getting it?
Is he prepared to return to anonymously managing the reserves after the sterling success he has already achieved in terms of results and player development?
MacDonald is uncomfortable with the profile which comes with the territory of Premier League management, but the confidence with which he made bold decisions suggests he has enjoyed the autonomy during his month in temporary charge.
Having sampled the hotseat, the temptation now for MacDonald would be to try it permanently and given that the door to the Villa dugout seems to have been pushed closed he might fancy his chances of being the boss anywhere between Championship and League Two level.
Indeed, he recently hinted that he might have another decision to make if he didn’t get his feet under the manager’s table and his delay throwing his hat in the ring may well have been that he already knew his choice could involve leaving Villa altogether.
Let’s hope not. At a time when Villa are hoping to strengthen, not weaken, the production line from academy to reserves to the first team, let’s hope Super Kev still has an important part to play.
