Mauricio Pochettino told he’ll be lucky to manage Aston Villa as big-name German is also linked and new date emerges for possible Steven Gerrard sack
Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with the Aston Villa job – and his credentials as a possible successor to Steven Gerrard have been met with a mixed reaction from one pundit.
The vultures are circling at Villa Park in the wake of a really poor start to the season. Hopes were high that Villa could push into the top half of the Premier League after owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens funded two big transfer windows at the club.
However, while Gerrard made a quick impact at Villa – fuelled by some big-name arrivals – results have steadily tailored off. And this season, the club currently sit down in 17th place, with just two wins from nine matches so far this season.
That has led to plenty of speculation surrounding Gerrard’s future. Indeed, just last week it was suggested the axe could fall on Gerrard’s reign before a crucial break in the season.
Indeed, Villa face Fulham on Thursday with defeat potentially seeing Villa dropping into the relegation zone. To that end, the axe could even fall as early as this week.
As a result, the Daily Telegraph has this week suggested the club are giving serious thought to potential replacements. And reportedly top of Villa’s list is highly-regarded former Tottenham and PSG coach Pochettino.
Pochettino is regarded in the game as one of the elite coaches. However, his time at PSG did not go according to plan and he’s since been overlooked for jobs at Manchester United and Chelsea.
Pochettino ‘would be lucky to get Villa job’
Assessing his qualities, pundit Simon Jordan accepts that while he is a good coach, he thinks he will be lucky to get the Villa job.
“The moment he got into PSG, he was looking to get out of the door because it didn’t suit him,” Jordan told talkSPORT.
“Sometimes what happens with managers is they believe that they’re more important than they actually are, they believe their own hype.
“I’m not saying he would be in that case. I’m questioning it because it shouldn’t just be a given from the media, because that’s lazy.
“If he gets to manage Aston Villa, do you know what, he’s lucky. They are a big Premier League football club that’s waiting to happen.”
Pochettino isn’t the only big-name manager being linked with Villa, either.
Reports claim that should they fail to land Pochettino, then an approach will be made to Thomas Tuchel.
The German has only been out of work for a matter of weeks, having been shown the door by Chelsea. However, his record at Stamford Bridge was hugely impressive. And under his tenure, the Blues enjoyed Champions League success as well as reaching three domestic cup finals.
Steven Gerrard sack speculation denied
With the pressure firmly on Gerrard’s shoulders, one report even went as far as suggesting that Gerrard has already been shown the door by Villa.
That wild speculation, however, has sparked a strong response from Villa’s communications manager who has strongly denied the story.
Furthermore, Tommy Jordan has also accused the said publication of making up the article.
Jordan tweeted: “How many times can you publish complete lies before people unfollow the account? Not sure why anyone actually follows this account. If you do, you shouldn’t.”
Nonetheless, speculation continues to swirl over Gerrard’s future.
And while injuries this season means Villa can count themselves unlucky, recent flat performances have done little to raise spirits.
Indeed, the disappointing draws with 10-man Leeds and Nottingham Forest were certainly poor. And while they improved on Sunday against Chelsea, they were denied by some spectacular Kepa goalkeeping. As such, a 2-0 defeat leaves them, and Gerrard, firmly in the mire.
