Norwich boss Paul Lambert holding talks with Aston Villa

Norwich boss Paul Lambert’s agents are in talks with Premier League rivals Aston Villa about the Scot becoming the next Villa boss.

Villa have been linked with numerous candidates since Alex McLeish’s departure from Villa Park earlier this month.

Candidates

Villa offered Wigan boss Roberto Martinez the position last summer, only for the Spaniard to turn them down in favour of staying at Wigan.

The 38 year-old has also turned down the chance to move to Liverpool this summer. Wigan owner Dave Whelan has stated that he is staying with the Latic’s.

Molde boss and former-Manchester striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also held talks with the Midlands club but decided to stay in Norway. The Norwegian made an impressive start to his managerial career guiding Molde to their first ever league championship in his first season as a boss.

Disagreement

Its been reported that Norwich boss Paul Lambert had some sort of disagreement with the Norwich board on Wednesday night, which could speed up his departure from Carrow Road. Lambert has previously stated that he is happy at Norwich but it now seems that he could be on the move.

Rise

Paul Lamberts reputation as a manager has been increased by his club achieving consecutive promotions and holding their own in the Premier League. Lambert is a highly-rated boss and is also highly-respected in coaching circles within the game.

Lambert has been compared to former-Villa boss Martin O’Neill in the past, because of his image and his passion on the touchline. Also because he has had a similar managerial career path to the Ulsterman.

Needed

Paul Lambert is the sort of bright young boss that is desperately needed at Villa Park. The club has been in a slump in recent seasons, mostly due to selling their best players. Villa are in need of some fresh impetus and ideas.

Lambert is just the sort of young manager who can provide them with it. He will bring the sort of fresh approach needed at the club.

Hard

The Villa hotseat is a really difficult one to be in at the moment. Villa owner Randy Lerner doesn’t seem to want to spend anymore money on the club. Although his approach could change with the appointment of a new manager.

If it doesn’t then the new manager, whether it is Lambert or somebody else will be doing their job with one hand tied behind his back. The Villa squad is in desperate need of strengthening with the club having to rely on youngster for a lot of last season.

Villa finished the season just three points above the relegation zone and Alex McLeish paid the price for that disappointment. The truth is though the players at the club are no longer good enough.

Big

Although Norwich finished higher in the Premier League than Aston Villa last season the Villans are still a far bigger club.

Their history, tradition and trophies outweigh that of the Canaries. Usually a move from Norwich to Villa would be seen as a step up for a manager but at the moment I’m not so sure it is. Lambert has build a good team in East Anglia and the morale seems far higher at Norwich than Villa right now.

Potential

Maybe Paul Lambert sees the potential that Villa hold and believes he can resurrect the clubs flagging fortunes. The Scot could see it as a challenge to get Villa back towards the top of the Premier League table.

Lambert strikes me as the kind of boss who would enjoy such a challenge. I just hope he is prepared for the mammoth size of his task.

Gamble

Appointing Paul Lambert as their new manager would be a great move for Aston Villa. However with his stock currently so high in the game at the moment I’m not so sure it would be a great move for Lambert.

The Scot is a good manager but if it doesn’t work out for him at Villa his reputation could take a terrible blow. I just hope for his sake and Villa’s sake that if he does take the job he is a resounding success.

Should Paul Lambert move to Aston Villa?

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/norwich-boss-paul-lambert-holding-talks-with-aston-villa/95570/

Villa to hold Lambert talks World Soccer Shop

Paul Lambert's representatives are to meet with Aston Villa on Thursday as the Norwich boss looks set to switch to their Premier League rivals.

Lambert: Aston Villa to hold talks

Lambert has emerged as the leading target for the Villa Park vacancy and Sky Sports revealed on Wednesday that the Midlands side were ready to make an official approach.

It is understood that the highly-regarded Scottish boss had a row with the Canaries board on Wednesday night, which could hasten his departure for Villa.

The Villans have been searching for a new manager following their decision to axe Alex McLeish earlier this month after just one unhappy season at the helm.

Lambert has earned plaudits throughout the game for his achievements with the Canaries as he guided the Carrow Road club to back-to-back promotions before enjoying an impressive first season in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Roberto Martinez were earlier in the frame for the Villa job, with the former Manchester United striker opting to stay with Molde, while Wigan's Martinez is due to remain at the DW Stadium despite also being linked with Liverpool.

Villa chairman Randy Lerner stated when McLeish was axed that he was looking to bring in a "new manager who sees the club's potential and embraces our collective expectations".

And it appears that Lambert fits the bill, despite the Canaries previously vowing they would fight to retain his services and the former Colchester, Wycombe and Livingston boss stating recently he was happy in his current post.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17514/villa_to_hold_lambert_talks

Villa set for Lambert approach World Soccer Shop

Aston Villa have made Norwich manager Paul Lambert their number one target and are set to make an official approach in the next 24 hours.

Lambert: Villa's number one target

Lambert has emerged as favourite for the Villa Park post in recent days, despite his denial earlier this month that he had been contacted about any job.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Roberto Martinez have been amongst the names ruled out, but Lambert now looks to be the man that Villa chiefs have highlighted as their number one target.

Lambert has produced wonders at Carrow Road since taking charge in 2009, guiding them to successive promotions up to the Premier League.

And in their first season back in the top-flight, Norwich finished 12th - earning Lambert a huge amount of plaudits.

His progress with Norwich has not gone unnoticed and now Villa are ready to make their move.

More to follow...

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17476/villa_set_for_lambert_approach

Solskjaer out of Villa running World Soccer Shop

Aston Villa have confirmed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not become the club's new manager following further talks with the Molde coach.

Solskjaer: No longer in contention to become Villa manager

The former Manchester United striker was interviewed by Villa owner Randy Lerner over the weekend.

But Solskjaer has opted not to be considered as Alex McLeish's successor for personal reasons.

Solskjaer was the favourite with the bookmakers to take charge of Villa who only just avoided relegation from the Premier League.

But sources close to the club are keen to stress Solskjaer was never offered the job by Lerner.

Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner will now step up their bid in other directions to replace McLeish who was sacked nine days ago.

Brendan Rodgers (Swansea), Paul Lambert (Norwich) and Roberto Martinez (Wigan) are potential candidates.

Rodgers and Lambert impressed with their respective clubs during their first season in the Premier League although it is understood Villa have yet to approach either club.

Martinez turned down the chance to take charge at Villa last summer after Gerard Houllier was forced to quit on health grounds.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16956/solskjaer_out_of_villa_running

Laursen rules out Villa job World Soccer Shop

Martin Laursen has ruled out returning as Aston Villa boss this summer but admits it would be "a dream" for him to take charge in the future.

Laursen: Too soon for Villa job

Former Denmark international Laursen was forced to quit Villa and retire three years ago because of a knee problem.

There has been speculation linking Laursen with a return to Villa but he is currently taking his coaching badges while part of the staff at Danish side Sollerod-Vedbaek.

Laursen said: "That (the speculation) is flattering but it (Villa) is too soon for me, I'm afraid.

"I'm taking my coaching badges in Denmark and coaching at Sollerod to get some experience.

"It is going well but to manage Villa is too early. In the future, that would be a dream for me.

"Fans know how much I love Villa, a great club."

Villa are continuing their hunt for a new manager after holding informal talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers and Norwich's Paul Lambert remain amongst potential candidates although Press Association Sport understands Villa have yet to approach either club.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16906/laursen_rules_out_villa_job