Aston Villa contenders: Remi Garde in pole position?

Mark Holmes
Remi Garde: Former Lyon boss favourite for Aston Villa job

Remi Garde: Will watch his prospective new side at Spurs

Aston Villa have made former Lyon manager Remi Garde their first choice to replace Tim Sherwood, according to reports in France.

Garde has been working as a pundit for Canal+ since leaving Lyon in 2014, and the French broadcasters are among several sources across the channel claiming the 49-year-old, who won the Coupe de France during his time in charge at the Stade Gerland, is in pole position to land the job at Villa Park.

The speculation has seen Garde, who spent three years at Arsenal between 1996 and 1999, quickly installed as the odds-on favourite to take over, but the Birmingham Mail claims Brendan Rodgers, Nigel Pearson and Bob Bradley are also in contention for the job. Brendan Rodgers, recently sacked by Liverpool, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

DAVID MOYES

The former Everton and Manchester United manager is under pressure in Spain as Real Sociedad struggle in the Primera Division.

With the team just above the relegation zone, Moyes’ days in Spain could be numbered although he did celebrate a 4-0 victory at Levante on Sunday.

The Scotsman has already been linked with the job, he is the bookies’ favourite and has Premier League experience following his time at Goodison Park and Old Trafford.

BRENDAN RODGERS

The former Liverpool manager took the Anfield club to the verge of Premier League trophy success two seasons ago, only to fail to haul in Manchester City in the title run-in.

Having forged his reputation at Watford, Reading and Swansea he got the job of Liverpool manager in succession to Kenny Dalglish.

Following a 1-1 draw with Everton, Rodgers was sacked. He would see the Villa job as an ideal way to get back into management.

NIGEL PEARSON

Having established Leicester in the Premier League Pearson can take some credit for the side which has made a fine start to the season under Claudio Ranieri.

He signed Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood and the striker has gone on to make his England debut this year.

Off-field controversies dogged Pearson during his final days at Leicester and that could count against him in the eyes of Villa owner Randy Lerner.

BOB BRADLEY

The former United States head coach is currently in charge of Norwegian club Stabaek who lie second in the Tippeligaen standings to Rosenborg.

Having made his name in Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire, New Jersey MetroStars and Chivas USA he was appointed USA coach in 2007, guiding them to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa where they topped a group including England before a second round exit to Ghana.

He left the USA job in 2011 and was quickly appointed to manage the Egyptian national side, but after failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup his contract was not extended.

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