The Tractor Boys boss is the fourth favourite to replace Roberto Di Matteo at Villa Park.
While some bookmakers have suspended betting on the next Aston Villa manager, Ipswich Town’s Mick McCarthy remains high on Skybet’s list at 12/1.
McCarthy may not be the most desirable candidate but his record – two promotions and countless overachievements – speaks for itself.
When the Yorkshireman took the reins at Portman Road four years ago, Ipswich were rock bottom of the Championship. And, after steering them to 14th that season, the Tractor Boys have failed to finish below ninth place since – with barely a penny spent.
There’s something about McCarthy that makes average players morph into good ones and boy could Villa do with some of that this season.
Those who play for him seem to relish doing so and that could work in Villa’s favour were they to go for the 57-year-old as Roberto Di Matteo’s replacement.
If they aren’t already, most clubs in the country will be after Ipswich’s Andre Dozzell before long. If you aren’t aware, he’s the 17-year-old son of former Town and Tottenham Hotspur player Jason – who scored on his senior debut at Sheffield Wednesday last season.
Since then, McCarthy has taken a cautious approach to young Dozzell’s development, handing him 45 minutes of football this season – although the teenager’s status as an England Under-18 international suggests he remains on course for a bright future in the game.
Poaching other clubs’ youngsters isn’t traditionally Villa’s thing – they have their own production line to boast about – but the chance to sign Dozzell shouldn’t be passed up should it arrive.
With McCarthy in charge at Villa Park, it just might.
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