Dear Randy,
We're glad you have finally acknowledged that Paul Lambert was no longer the right man for the job.
Hopefully your decision wasn’t too late, and it was in time to preserve Aston Villa’s Premier League future.
But for all the departed manager’s failings – and there were many – every single member of the Villa Park faithful knows the problems at the football club run much deeper than the 45-year-old Glaswegian.
The club might be Scot-free, but you’re far from Scot free, Randy.
There are big questions that need answering, and we’d love to sit round the table and talk about the things that really matter.
Sacking Paul Lambert should just be the start, rather than the end, of the decisive action you take.
We understand you’re 5,000 miles away – that Atlantic is awfully wide – and distance has protected you from the wrath of the disillusioned, dwindling crowd.
But the focus is very much now on you.
We need to know what you plan next, how you intend to convince long-suffering Villa fans, and managerial candidates, that there are happier times ahead.
Because survival is just the starting point. It is not enough for a club like Aston Villa.
When you handed out those ‘Proud History, Bright Future’ scarves in 2007 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Villa’s European Cup triumph, you made a bold statement.
“We are proud of our history and traditions but we don’t live in the past,” was the strong message from the club.
“Instead, the glories of our past are a spur to write new chapters in the history of the club.
“The addition of a white star to the club crest signifies the club’s greatest achievement while also signifying our ultimate future goal – becoming champions of Europe again.”
Well, we know that dream has faded; we know the boom of your first four years has made way for the bust of the last four.
What we don’t know is what you intend to do about it.
What are your aspirations for the here and now, let alone the future?
The possibility that you might miss out on your share of the new £5 billion TV deal will surely have concentrated your attention.
It certainly seems to have forced your hand regarding the manager’s position.
So what’s going on, Randy? Do you intend to drive the club forward, and seek fresh investment, perhaps even give the next manager a bob or two to spend on players?
Or do you intend to sell it? And if so, how much do you want?
In the meantime, in your role as custodian of the claret and blue, the onus is on you to learn from the mistakes of the past when you make the most crucial appointment in Villa’s modern day history.
You need to get the right man this time.So what’s going on, Randy? Do you intend to drive the club forward, and seek fresh investment, perhaps even give the next manager a bob or two to spend on players?
Or do you intend to sell it? And if so, how much do you want?
In the meantime, in your role as custodian of the claret and blue, the onus is on you to learn from the mistakes of the past when you make the most crucial appointment in Villa’s modern day history.
You need to get the right man this time.
So what’s going on, Randy? Do you intend to drive the club forward, and seek fresh investment, perhaps even give the next manager a bob or two to spend on players?
Or do you intend to sell it? And if so, how much do you want?
In the meantime, in your role as custodian of the claret and blue, the onus is on you to learn from the mistakes of the past when you make the most crucial appointment in Villa’s modern day history.
You need to get the right man this time.
Original Source: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa...
