We’ve been busy focusing on the potential incoming player staff over the last few weeks. However, reports suggest this evening that Villa may be adding to their coaching staff. The rumoured addition is Steve Agnew according to the Birmingham Mail.
The 52-year-old has been out of work since leaving his role as caretaker-manager of Middlesborough at the end of last season. Following Aitor Karanka’s sacking, Agnew took over the reins but was unable to prevent Boro from being relegated. He has been on gardening leave.
Credentials
Should he be added to the coaching staff at B6, it will be hoped that his influence will aid our promotion push. He certainly has enough promotion experience. In fact, Bruce and Agnew have been successful together in the past. They worked together at Hull where Agnew was Assistant Manager. Juxtaposing the promotion the pair achieved together at Hull as well as that of Middlesborough, Agnew certainly knows how to get out of the Championship.
Next: Burnley and Republic of Ireland Player Rumours
Villa’s Coaching Set-Up
With Colin Calderwood already amongst our ranks as well, it appears at least on paper that Villa’s coaching staff is geared towards promotion. Whilst the usual Twitter meltdown suggested doubt in Bruce’s ability to get us up, it is hard to argue that Villa do not have experienced coaches for this level. Many accept that winning the league would be a tough ask at this point. However, automatic promotion is still a hope for some. For the moment though, the club is hanging on to a play-off place. With this being said, the staff’s different promotion experiences, cover every eventuality. Hopefully, this will enable us to cope with any method of reaching the Premier League.
Added Bonus?
Could Agnew’s presence help solve another issue? As confirmed by a local Middlesborough newspaper, Gazette Live, Agnew has a goalscoring nephew. He is none other than Jordan Rhodes. The striker, previously linked with Villa, would surely add an attacking threat to the side. That might be just a bit too much to ask this Christmas…