Villa have had their fair share of good and bad managers in recent years, however, the trend that stands out is that the vast majority of them have all been talented footballers at some point in their career. And whilst some gaffers prove that a good player doesn’t necessarily make a good manager, here is five of the best Villa managers as players.
5. Tim Sherwood
The countdown starts with current Villa manager, Tim Sherwood, who whilst now takes on the mantle of football’s best Jeremy Kyle lookalike he was once a physical, tenacious and an award-winning midfielder back in his day.
Starting his career at Watford under the disastrous stewardship of Dave Bessent, Sherwood became synonymous with darting box to box runs and being impossible to mark at set pieces.
A short trip to Norwich followed before Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn Rovers signed him before going on to become club captain, and lifting the Premiership title. In fact, Sherwood was so vital to Rovers that Jack Walker turned down the chance to sign Zinedine Zidane because: “”Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?”
Eventually with the Lancashire outfit’s slide down the table, Sherwood would move to Tottenham Hotspur. The lack of depth and top level managers at the North London club meant his only medal was a League Cup runners-up one in 2000.
As his playing time was running out, Sherwood would move on to Portsmouth where he would win the Second Division before finishing his career at Coventry City.
4. David O’Leary
His time as Villa boss may not be remembered in the best of lights, however, his incredible longevity as a player cannot be ignored
Having started his Arsenal association in 1973 O’Leary would burst onto the scene as a 17-year old; making his debut against Burnley. The London-born Irishman wouldn’t look back from there. He became the youngest Arsenal player to make 100 and 200 appearances before hanging up his boots after a whopping 553 appearances in the red and white shirt. More appearances than Steven Gerrard at Liverpool; David Beckham at Manchester United and Gary Neville at the Red Devils. His longevity at the North London Club is unquestioned, nor is his success having picked up two top division titles, two FA cups and two league cups.
Yet the best moment of his playing career came in the green of the Republic of Ireland shirt, having stepped up to take the crucial penalty against Romania in Italia 90. If he scored he would take Ireland to the quarterfinals for the first time, and casual as anything, he steps up, sends the keeper the wrong way and sends Ireland fans into raptures. Ironically, that was the only 26 minutes he was on the pitch for in that World Cup.
3. Paul Lambert
Again not the best Villa manager in history, however, when you win a Champions League you have to be in contention for this list.
Starting out at St.Mirren he became one of the youngest recipients of the Scottish Cup winners medal when the Buddies beat UEFA Cup finalists Dundee united for the cup.
A move to Motherwell would follow, and under the stewardship of fellow former Villa boss, Alex McLeish he would go on to become best of the rest during the era of Rangers dominance in the 1990’s.
Lambert would also play in the 1994 UEFA Cup, and a certain performance against Borussia Dortmund impressed Ottmar Hitzfeld so much that he had to sign the young Scotsman. His stay in Germany may have only lasted a year, but what a year it was. Culminating in putting Zidane in his back pocket for the entire Champions League final, his helping hand in Der BVB winning the Champions League announced his arrival as a world class midfielder.
Despite Premiership interest, Lambert decided to join his hometown club of Celtic, and success instantly followed. The Bhoys would win four Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups during the era of dominance that Lambert was a part of.
2. Martin O’Neill
Arguably the most naturally talented player on this list. He was the embodiment of the success of Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough.
Originally being brought up with the ways of Gaelic Football, it was only when local football team Lisburn Distillery came knocking that he would change to the association rules of the game. His best moment at The Grosvenor stadium came during the 1970 Irish Cup final. O’Neill played a stunning game; scoring two stunning goals including dribbling past three Derry City defenders to score his second.
After almost winning the cup final by himself, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor came knocking to bring him to England. Signing for a £15,000 fee, O’Neill would go on to form a star-studded midfield with Trevor Francis and John McGovern.
The partnership would be a fruitful one, and the Northern Irishman would go on to win eight medals at Forest, including two European Cups and a First Division title. Yet all good things come to an end, and after leaving Clough’s team he would spend the remainder of his career in the footballing wilderness. Playing for Norwich City twice with a spell at Manchester City in between, before finishing his career at arch rivals Notts County.
1. Joe Mercer
In terms of sheer honours won none of Villa’s managers can compare to Joe Mercer. He enjoyed success wherever he went. at Everton and Arsenal before having success as Villa boss.
Mercer’s career had humble beginnings at Ellesmere Port Town, before being spotted by Everton scouts. Mercer would go on to become one of the best English players of all time, and although all the glory is leveled on Dixie Dean during the Toffee’s most successful period, Mercer’s talents cannot be ignored.
The outbreak of the Second World War would limit the amount of games he would play on Merseyside, yet he still managed to pick up a First Division title and an FA Cup. Not to mention the fact he was a Sergeant Major in the British Army and captained an England side in 26 wartime internationals
Mercer would move to Arsenal after the war and would have even more success, taking a side lost in the wilderness after the glorious Herbert Chapman era, to once again winning the League in 1948, another league title would follow in 1953 and an FA Cup in 1950; before eventually going into management in 1955.
