Now Villa want Moyes as their manager
Published 00:10 11/06/11 By James Nursey
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is set to move for Everton boss David Moyes to avoid an embarrassing managerial U-turn.
Villa were left red-faced on Friday when Roberto Martinez opted to stay at Premier League minnows Wigan.
Villa were so hopeful after getting permission to speak to Martinez that they scrapped proposed talks with rival candidates Steve McClaren and Rafa Benitez.
Now Lerner could be forced to return to Villa’s original short-list of McClaren, Benitez and Mark Hughes.
However, Villa's American owner is also a long-term admirer of Moyes, who has been at Everton since 2002.
Villa know it would take around £7million in compensation to the Goodison Park club to get their man - and his large backroom staff.
US tycoon Lerner would also have to free up millions for transfers to lure the 48-year-old away from Everton, where he has a limited budget.
Villa will need to ascertain whether Moyes would quit for them if they make an official approach - they know they cannot afford to publicly miss out on a rival boss again.
Other Premier League clubs are already privately describing Villa’s managerial woes as ‘a pantomime’.
However, former England manager McClaren remains keen on the position as he is anxious to return to the Premier League.
McClaren has drawn up a five-year plan for Villa to develop their first team squad and exciting academy using his knowledge from working in Holland.
He impressively won the title with FC Twente but still has a negative public image from failure to steer England to Euro 2008 qualification.
Villa cooled their interest in McClaren earlier this week after a storm of fans' protests on the internet about his possible arrival.
