Alex McLeish is the Manager of Aston Villa after making the controversial switch from rivals Birmingham City this summer. The move was highly contentious and caused outrage from both sets of supporters. There were a serious of protests from Villa fans outside Villa park in the lead up to McLeish’s appointment but this didn’t stop Randy Lerner from snapping up the Scot. McLeish will start the 2011/12 season as the manager under the most pressure and needs results fast in order to win over the majority of Villa fans.

Achievements

McLeish immediately started well in his first job in management when his Motherwell side finished second behind Rangers in his first season in charge. McLeish moved onto Hibernian in 1998 after they were relegated from the top flight and he was charged with getting Hibs back to the SPL at the first attempt. He duly obliged and Hibs were immediately promoted back to the SPL and McLeish set about establishing Hibernian as a solid team in the top league.

After being linked with numerous club’s from England McLeish decided to join Rangers in 2001. During his five years at the club he won 2 SPL titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups. After a brief stint in charge of the Scottish national team, with whom he failed to gain qualification to Euro 2008, McLeish joined Championship side Birmingham City. The Scot led the club to promotion, as runners-up, to the Premier League in 2009. In their fist season back in the top flight the club finished in a very impressive 9th place. However, last season was a completely different story. Despite winning the club their first major trophy (Carling Cup) since 1963 McLeish could not save the club from the drop as they were relegated on the final day of the season.

Initially Birmingham were rumoured to be sacking McLeish but they decided to stick with him providing he would take the club straight back up to the Premier League. However, in a dramatic twist McLeish decided to join the club’s fierce local rivals Aston Villa during the summer.

Job Security

McLeish still has to prove himself to the Villa fans, many of whom are still outraged by the club’s decision to appoint a Birmingham City manager. If McLeish gets off to a poor start then the fans will really be on his back which could signal an early exit for the Scot.

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