Friday, 17th June, 2011
Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of former Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish as their new boss.
The Scot resigned as manager of Villa’s local rivals Birmingham City last Sunday amid talk that Aston Villa’s owner Randy Lerner was keen on appointing him as Gerard Houllier’s successor, and this has proven to be the case.
McLeish’s resignation was not received well by Birmingham, who have pledged to pursue a compensation claim against Villa.
Aston Villa fans too have mounted significant opposition to McLeish being appointed, with graffiti scrawled on a wall at the club’s training ground.
McLeish therefore faces a tough task at Villa Park and will need to ensure the side hit the ground running when the new Premier League season kicks off – Villa travel to Fulham for the season opener – or pressure and fan dissent will quickly build.
“I am honoured to have this opportunity to manage a club with such a fantastic history as Aston Villa’s”, said McLeish.
He continued:“The heritage, the history of success and the tradition of Aston Villa are compelling and irresistible. The challenge for me is to try and add my own chapter.”
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