Henry keen on landing Villa job – but faces wait to replace Bruce
THIERRY HENRY wants the Aston Villa job but faces a nervous two-week wait to land the post.
Villa yesterday sacked Steve Bruce amid mounting fan fury after just one win in 10 matches.
The club’s wealthy new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have now tasked new CEO Christian Purslow to secure a high-calibre boss before the visit of Swansea on October 20 following the international break.
Henry was first considered when Villa were taken over in July BY JAMES NURSEY at the same time as the former Arsenal striker left his TV job with Sky Sports.
The club are also considering an audacious move for Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez but his frosty relationship with Purslow, whom he blamed for his exit from Anfield, could be a sticking point.
London-based Sawiris has previously supported Arsenal and admires Henry.
Rookie Henry now looks set to make the shortlist and get an audience with Purslow to pitch his credentials. He is said to be keen on the post after seeing the impact Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has had at Derby.
Henry was an assistant as Belgium came third in this summer’s World Cup and then quit as a Sky pundit , citing a wish to “fulfil my long-term ambition to become a football manager”.
Sawiris, the richest Egyptian in the world with a net wealth of £5billion, is likely to offer Villa’s new boss a decent budget for January arrivals.
The club also plan to bring in a director of football who will line up potential new signings.
Axed Bruce can expect his 12-month rolling contract, worth £1.5million, to be paid up in full.
He has been in charge of Villa since October 2016 and led them to the play-off final last season.
But one angry fan threw a cabbage at Bruce before Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Preston and he was sacked a day later.