Aston Villa are looking for a new manager.
Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo before the match
Aston Villa are searching for a new manager after sacking Roberto di Matteo at the end of last week.
A number of names with Premier League and Championship experience have been touted for the role, with Steve Bruce currently the favourite to land the job.
Bruce is a veteran who has won promotion from the second tier before, but he is not the most inspiring choice, and Villa fans are talking themselves into being convinced after instinctive scepticism.
Former Hull City manager Steve Bruce
One option available to Villa is to look to appoint a young, promising manager currently working at a lower level.
An ideal candidate would be Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke, not yet a household name in management, but surely destined to be.
Clarke has worked wonders for Rovers, helping them win promotion from the conference, and last season from League Two.
Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke
Now into League One, his tremendous success shows no sign of moving off track. Rovers are up into seventh place, pushing for a play-off spot, and could yet win promotion to the Championship.
Clarke, a former player with Mansfield Town and Hartlepool, is still just 38-years-old, and is settled at Bristol Rovers.
He signed a new contract with the club this summer after turning down an opportunity to take the Leeds United role, and Aston Villa may not be able to convince him to take the job.
Yet he is a manager Villa would be wrong not to consider, if they are looking at making an appointment which could take them forward long-term, rather than a short-term quick fix like Bruce.
Bristol Rovers Manager Darrell Clarke
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