Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Remi Garde as their new manager on a contract that will run until June 2019.
Villa targeted Garde to replace Tim Sherwood after they sacked the former Tottenham boss in October, just eight months into a three-and-a-half-year deal.
– RATE, SHAE & WIN: ValoraFutbol Fan Ratings
– QUIZ: How well do you know Real Madrid?
– VIDEO: Mourinho – Chelsea are not shown respect
Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald will still take the side for their game against Spurs, with Garde’s first match in charge set to be Sunday’s visit of leaders Manchester City.
Garde left Lyon in 2014 after three years for personal reasons and held talks with Newcastle earlier this year.
He won the title with Arsenal in 1998 and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed last week Villa’s chief executive Tom Fox – who previously worked at Arsenal – had been in touch to sound him out about his former player.
The ex- France international will become Villa’s fifth manager in five years as they battle relegation again.
Sherwood lasted just 28 games and was axed, despite guiding them to safety last season, with the club winless since the opening day of the season.
#360fans: Dale Welch, Dubai Lions – Villa Supporters’ Club
While Sherwood’s start to his first season included a free rein on squad acquisition and a kind run of fixtures against “beatable” opposition, by contrast Remi Garde inherits a new squad unable to gel, with a trip to Everton and home games against both Manchester City and Arsenal in his opening five games.
Settling on a structured way of playing should be the first task; Sherwood’s constant tinkering with formations, line-ups and bizarre substitutions caused much frustration among fans, with Villa also dropping nine points so far this season through conceding late goals.
Much like Garde transformed the career of young Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon, getting the best out of the likes of Jordan Ayew and Scott Sinclair would give solid options up front to partner with Rudy Gestede. He may also look to countryman Jordan Veretout, a player inexplicably overlooked by Sherwood, to replicate his return of seven goals and six assists last season for Nantes to create chances in the final third.
While short on Premier League experience, Garde is a man who was heavily involved in making Lyon the club they have become over the last 12 years. Aston Villa need a winning mentality again, and Garde’s silverware in the French league and Champions League experience could very well be the inspiration we’re looking for.
The Dubai Lions meet at Centre Circle Sports Bar, Ramada Chelsea Hotel in Al Barsha. For more information, email: [email protected].
Breaking news: Introducing our new manager Rémi Garde. Full story here: https://t.co/YRJO9ynSVG #AVFC #WelcomeRémi pic.twitter.com/BoaXXEaN9B
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) November 2, 2015
