Aston Villa have reportedly parted company with Ian Atkins, who Steve Bruce apparently butted heads with over potential targets.
For some who want Steve Bruce to be replaced as manager, the departures may provide some hope that a change in the dug-out may not be too far away.
Villa may have won their most recent game – Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie goals helped the Villans to a 2-0 victory over Rotherham on Tuesday – but their form has been unconvincing lately, and there are still plenty of frustrations over the summer business that was done.
But perhaps the report on Atkins’ exit provides a hint that the scout’s departure may actually provide a boost to Bruce’s position rather than suggest that he could be closer to the door himself.
The Express and Star suggests that Bruce frequently butted heads with Atkins over potential targets, and it was Bruce who took the lead over their pursuits for Tuesday’s two goalscorers, who both arrived in the final days of the summer.
There is no indication that the new majority shareholders had any interest in getting rid of Bruce anyway, but by parting company with a figure that the manager did clash with over targets, it would appear that they are more determined to create an environment that Bruce is happy with.
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