As the transfer window slammed shut Remi Garde let it be known he would be considering his position as manager of Aston Villa at the end of the season.
Since then he has refused to answer any questions about where he sees his immediate future. On the face of it Garde’s position is understandable, he says promises made when he joined, regarding player recruitment, were not honoured. He feels the board have at best let him down and at worst lied to him.
A couple of things don’t sit right with me about this, though. Firstly the timing of Garde’s announcement suggests it’s not as straightforward as he’s making out.
Garde must have been fully aware that Villa were not going to follow Newcastle and Bournemouth’s spend, spend, spend approach long before the window shut.
If Garde really felt his future depended so heavily signings then surely letting the board know he’d consider quitting earlier in the window would have increased the pressure on them to get players in the door.
Secondly, why did Garde make the announcement at all? Especially as he hasn’t been one for speaking to journalists since he arrived, so why do this out in the open?
The club doesn’t need any unwelcome distractions in the position they’re in. Although Garde is currently refusing to answer any questions about his future, that won’t stop them being asked at every press conference and in every post-match interview (especially after a defeat). Every comment he makes is now going to be analysed and scrutinised to the nth degree for any clues about his decision.
Garde has started his very own soap opera which will almost definitely have a negative affect on the players, after all, how can he demand commitment from his players when he won’t give it himself.
The only reason I can see for Garde to go this way is that he’s already made up his mind and he wants out.
By making this statement publicly he has let every club in Europe know that he’s going to be available. And by also citing a lack of signing’s as well as board support he will be going with his reputation still intact.
