Aston Villa linked with a Spanish tactician
Gerard Houllier's future as Aston Villa boss remains unclear as he recovers from a significant health scare, and it is believed that the second city club are preparing themselves for such a scenario by considering alternatives.
As this is the French coach's second heart-related problem in less than a decade, the expectation of many is that he will be advised to walk away from management, and it is unlikely that his number two Gary McAllister will be promoted having failed to win any of his three games in interim charge.
Rafael Benitez was linked with a spell in the Villa Park dugout when Houllier was struggling to gain the backing of supporters earlier in the campaign and his name has again been mentioned, however there are strong rumours in Spain that the former Liverpool chief's next job will be in La Liga.
The Champions League winner is reported to be a target for Atletico Madrid, whose current trainer Quique Sanchez Flores is anticipated to be on his way out this summer, and Madrid-based sports newspaper AS claim that the outgoing tactician could instead be the one that ends up at Villa.
The 46-year-old is said to be pondering a change of agent to earn a Premier League move and already has plenty of big-match experience, having led Valencia and Benfica before taking the reins at the Vicente Calderon, where he guided Atletico to Europa League glory in his first season.
McAllister looks set to end 2010-11 as Villa manager though, with the top-ten finish that appeared a possibility prior to Houllier's sidelining now a long shot as they trail tenth-placed Fulham by three points with a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal and home game against Liverpool still to play.
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Published: 10 May 2011
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