Aston Villa must have its head in the sand.
On the same day that Manchester United appointed Jose Mourinho, on the same week Villa found themselves a new owner, they still didn’t bother to really do anything.
Dithering for six seasons eventually cost them their Premier League status and dithering some more over who could possibly fill Remi Garde’s shoes has seen them lose out on Nigel Pearson.
The man who won the Championship at the King Power Stadium, the same man who sparked that miracle recovery when Leicester looked dead and buried in the top flight, was thought to be the chosen one that would give Aston Villa the kick up the backside it has been so desperately crying out for since Martin O’Neill’s departure in 2010.
Then, this happened.
BREAKING: #DCFC is delighted to announce Nigel Pearson as the club’s new Manager: https://t.co/dNbsSnBZ14 🐑 pic.twitter.com/SvUCoD6zSh
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) May 27, 2016
Nigel Pearson stays in the midlands but not with Villa. Instead, he goes to Pride Park to manage this season’s fifth-place finishers.
Now it looks like Roberto Di Matteo is set for Villa Park but there will be no placating their fans. There’s no such thing as placating football fans. And certainly not Aston Villa ones.
So when the Pearson to Derby news broke, not everyone was particularly pleased.
https://twitter.com/bradders11834/status/736217992242069504
Dithering is the word of the day. The word of the decade at Villa.
I may be wrong,but feel Pearson should have been @AVFCOfficial first choice.Dithering may cost them dear.
— Kevin84 (@turvey84) May 27, 2016
Instead, Villa fans are forced to get behind someone who hasn’t even been announced.
good appointment by derby pearson will do well there,wanted him at villa but must get behind rdm
— malcywhitehouse (@malcywhitehouse) May 27, 2016
The messiah is gone.
RDM instead of NP – Dr Oh No.
— Son Lyme (@Son_Lyme) May 27, 2016
The reality of being a Championship club is tough to accept.
https://twitter.com/RichardBenbow79/status/736225888690442242
Another team added to the list.
@AVFCOfficial Can't believe that we have let Pearson through our grip and that will mean that they'll be above us in the league next season
— The Villa Villain (@UTV31) May 27, 2016
Seriously.