This would be entertaining, if nothing else.
Aston Villa were the favourites to earn promotion from the Championship this season before a ball was kicked. The club spent £80m last season, and added experienced players like John Terry and Glenn Whelan this summer. Villa manager Steve Bruce has also overseen several promotions to the Premier League.
Three games later, and he could be facing the sack. Villa have gained just one point from nine, and have suffered back to back defeats. Bruce’s side lost to Cardiff City 3-0 last weekend, and Reading beat them 2-1 on Wednesday night. The former Manchester United captain has been Villa manager for 10 months, and fans are still waiting to see improvement on the field.
Following Wednesday’s defeat, Bruce spoke like a manager who knows he’s in trouble. The Villa boss admitted to reporters that his team are struggling, and preached patience.
“There’s still obviously a load of work to be done but judge us when all the players are fit and ready and at the minute we are having a tough time. We have had a tough start – Newcastle (United) had a tough start last year – we have to batten down the hatches, still believe in what we are doing and get that win which will obviously give everyone a lift.”
This is standard talk from a manger under pressure, but Bruce also lost the run of himself with a comment about Terry. He said “people got carried away with the euphoria” of the club signing Terry.
Signing Terry was considered a coup for Villa by the Proper Football Men of the world, but no Villa fan was euphoric about the 36-year-old joining the club. Most thought it could work out well, but there was no euphoria. He’s a veteran central defender, not Lionel flippin’ Messi.
In fact, it’s a lot easier to find people who think Terry will replace Bruce as Villa manager, than find Villa fans who were ecstatic about his arrival at the club.
Following the defeat to Reading, many predicted that the former Chelsea captain will replace Bruce as manager if the poor run of form continues.
https://twitter.com/tomEurosport/status/897709225559957504
John Terry to be manager by September 😂 #avfc
— thevillazone (@thevillazone) August 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/truefaith1892/status/897557475938971648
"Introducing Aston Villa's next manager, England's Brave and Loyal John Terry…"
— Gary Andrews (@gafootbl) August 16, 2017
@jasoncundy05 @andygoldstein05 @talkSPORT john terry to take over from Steve Bruce as player manager after weekends game!!
— PHILIP BRADY ⭐️ ⭐️ (@BradyPhilbrady1) August 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/Editor_James/status/897575435269271553
https://twitter.com/DavidACSpencer/status/897573023548661761
Has Bruce been sacked yet? Sacked in the morning? is terry the new manager yet? #lol #villa
— Patrick & Chewie 🇺🇦 (@Baggiepat) August 15, 2017
@Dr_TonyXia John Terry player manager with Steve Gerrard as assistant manager
— Robert Pearson (@TheMailmanUk) August 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/curtiswoodhous8/status/897002907761078273
John Terry: Leader, Captain, Player Manager…
— Steven Dunne (@SD_cotopaxi) August 13, 2017
