---
title: "Merson: Villa should hire Pearson or McCarthy"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/04/22/merson-villa-hire-pearson-mccarthy/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2016-04-22T20:11:39Z"
modified: "2024-01-04T15:10:10Z"
---

# Merson: Villa should hire Pearson or McCarthy

Former Aston Villa midfielder, now TV pundit, Paul Merson has had his say on who he thinks should be in charge of Aston Villa next season as they attempt to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

There have been a lot of names linked with the job since Remi Garde left his position in March and Merson has given his thoughts on who should replace the Frenchman.

According to Merson, Villa should look get [small business HR outsourcing UK](https://www.avensure.com/hr-outsourcing-services/small-business-hr-services/) and hire somebody who knows the Championship well and he thinks two candidates; Nigel Pearson and Mick McCarthy would be the ideal men to come in and manage the club.

As reported by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/10253490/nigel-pearson-or-mick-mccarthy-should-take-charge-pf-aston-villa-says-paul-merson), Merson said:

> My first big signing would be the manager. The manager has to be right. It has to be a proven Championship (manager) and for me that’s the main thing. He has to tick those boxes. Nigel Pearson has done it at Leicester. Mick McCarthy has done it for 15 years. For me, one of those two managers would have to be in charge and that would be my prime signing.

![Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/04/473605596.jpg)

The former Villa man also said that whoever comes in has a very difficult job as the current squad does need looking at and some of the big earners could be sold to make ends meet.

> There’s a lot of work to do. There are a lot of players on a lot of money. Do you take a chance and get rid and start again or do you hope those players go into the Championship and come straight back up? It’s all about the manager. He will be the biggest signing of the whole pre-season.