Henry could be the man for Villa’s new chief
BY JAMES NURSEY THIERRY HENRY has emerged as a shock potential replacement for Steve Bruce after Aston Villa were saved from administration.
Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris yesterday bought a controlling stake in the Championship club from Chinese chairman Dr Tony Xia.
Sawiris – the richest Egyptian in the world with a net wealth of £5bn – is now considering changes in the Villa Park hot seat.
It opens the door for Henry, who quit his £2m per year Sky pundit role this week citing his wish to “fulfil my long-term ambition to become a football manager”.
The Arsenal legend has been working as Belgium No.2 and helped them finish third at the World Cup.
Bruce and his staff are in the dark on their futures after Villa’s investment was handled by money men but are preparing the team for today’s friendly at League One Burton.
Xia has opted to sell around 55 per cent to Sawiris and Fortress Investment Group co-founder Wes Edens.
They are set to call the shots about who manages Villa this campaign ahead of a likely full buy-out.
Bruce has been in charge since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in 2016.
Despite cutbacks as Xia’s funding from the Far East dried up, Villa came fourth and reached the play-off final last term.