Interim Aston Villa boss Aaron Danks has provided insight on what he’s been told with regards to the managerial situation at the club as the search goes on for a long-term successor to Steven Gerrard.
Stepping in to take charge on a temporary basis, Danks led Villa to a 4-0 win over Brentford on Sunday as he made key changes and got the perfect reaction from the players as we secured three crucial points.
READ MORE: Talking tactics: Crucial change Danks got spot on in Villa’s win vs Brentford
However, speculation is rife about who could potentially take over next, but the interim boss has suggested that his assignment is clear in that he will continue to lead the team for as long as he’s asked and his full focus remains on building on our result this past weekend.
“I’ve been asked to lead the team at the moment, I’ll continue to do that so will step forward again Monday morning and prepare the team as we go,” he told BBC Sport. “Until I hear otherwise, it’s just full focus and energy for me on that.”
The result on Sunday perhaps alleviates some pressure on the Villa hierarchy to speed up the next appointment and get the new coach in as soon as possible.
Confidence and the general mood will have been lifted for all concerned, and so we can now go into the Newcastle game on Saturday looking to pick up more important points and climb the Premier League table with less pressure on us.
As per The Athletic, it’s reported that Villa are aiming to appoint a new manager by early next week, and so it looks as though Danks will get another game in charge, while it’s added that he’s not in contention to get the job on a full-time basis.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the temporary Villa boss noted himself that he wouldn’t be interested in the position either but hopefully having been a part of Dean Smith and Gerrard’s staff, he’ll be given an opportunity to stay on with the next boss whoever that might be.
“Nah, I haven’t even thought about that. I joined the club as a coach and to be part of a growth project to help this club move forward,” he told the media, as per BirminghamLive. “This club is steeped in tradition and history. It’s got fantastic youth and academy and we just want this club growing and moving and going game to game. For me, there’s a long term goal with this football club and whatever role I have in that is an exciting role.”
It’s vital that Villa get the next appointment spot on. Things ultimately didn’t go to plan over the last 11 months under Gerrard and we haven’t seen the continuous improvement that Villa CEO Christian Purslow focuses in on when discussing a managerial departure.
Danks has shown he’s capable of making big decisions, and importantly getting some right, and so there is no reason to now rush the appointment of the next Villa boss if we believe we need time to get the right man in.
Time will tell just how accurate that touted timeline above proves to be, but if it’s time we need to convince the right candidate, Danks and the players have afforded the board that with a big win.
