I am mature enough to realise he is, ultimately, a football manager doing a job. There is every chance that he will be good for Villa (to compliment the equal chance that he will not) and I will continue to support regardless. I have been a Villa fan through some truly horrendous managerial appointments, so I’m not about to stop now.
I will not, however, be buying my Villa shirt this season. I have to make some form of protest towards the owner and chief executives. The need to protest derives from the hypocrisy and arrogance that has been displayed by Lerner, Krulak and Faulkner. They crossed Mark Hughes off the list because of the way he abruptly left Fulham. They ditched plans to speak to McLaren because of the fans’ disapproval. Yet, they have appointed a manager that puts a cross in both of those boxes at the same time.
What’s even more annoying is the seemingly arrogant approach that the Board went about this process. Paying no attention to the fact that the fans make a club, they ignored everything the fans wanted to say and simply went about their business. And that’s what it was- business.
Did any other Villa fan feel that Lerner was exhibiting an “I write the cheques so I will do as I please” approach? With not a single constructive word of encouragement or explanation to the people that pay for the club, the arrogance was unpalatable. That is why I will not be buying a replica shirt, and I would wager that many fans feel stronger than that.
All that is left is for us to get behind McLeish, and hope that his blue nose turns claret overnight. But for the first time I feel that the Board have no respect, consideration or allegiance to the fans that make this club what it is.