Since managing a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 25th, Aston Villa went on a run of five defeats in the Premier League.
After a 1-0 loss against Southampton last Saturday, the leaders of the English club sacked Dean Smith on Sunday.
Villa, who face Brighton & Hove Albion after November’s international fixtures, want to take advantage of the break to appoint Smith’s successor.
Reports in the British press have stated Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and Belgium coach Roberto Martínez are on the shortlist to take over the vacant job at Villa Park.
Het Laatste Nieuws have looked at these claims and provide their own information on the chances of the former Everton manager leaving De Rode Duivels for Villa.
Aston Villa want to quickly narrow down the list of candidates, but Martinez making the final cut is ‘small’.
That’s because the Premier League side are aware of the Spaniard’s ‘ambitions’. He is ‘not eager’ to take over a club that is fighting relegation. Hence, ‘not Newcastle United, not Norwich City, not Aston Villa’.
The 48-year-old, however, is open to returning to the Premier League, but it has to be the ‘right club at the right time’.
For now, Martinez is ‘not keen’ on joining Villa, who, as per HLN, are not the ‘right club’ for his return to England.
