Aston Villa plan to interview Alex McLeish ‘imminently’ and claim former Birmingham City manager is a free agent

EPL : Alex McLeish, Birmingham City- Aston Villa(Getty Images)

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Aston Villa have confirmed they are considering former Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish for the current vacancy at Villa Park.

Villa have been without a manager since Gerard Houllier left on June 1 after the Frenchman and the club came to a mutual agreement.

Houllier had been forced to relinquish his day-to-day duties for the last few weeks of the season after becoming ill following problems with his heart.

Gary McAllister, Houllier’s No.2, took over the match-day preparations and control of the sporting side of the club until the end of the season.

Since Houllier’s departure, Villa had been linked strongly with Mark Hughes before Steve McClaren was reportedly given an interview, but club owner Randy Lerner eventually decided against the meeting with the former England boss after a negative reaction from Villa supporters.

McLeish was then made favourite for the job, but the situation still hangs in the balance with Birmingham chiefs not yet accepting his resignation.

However, Villa claim the Scot is now a free agent and say they plan to hold talks with him “imminently”.

In a statement on Villa’s official website, the club said: “The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent.

“We therefore intend to interview him imminently in order to make a decision regarding his candidacy to become Villa manager.

“From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa as we know that without a shared vision any appointment, however attractive, will ultimately fail.

“We would, however, like to emphasise that in deciding to interview Alex McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously.

“We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager.”

Should Villa look to appoint McLeish as manager, it is believed that Birmingham will seek considerable compensation, with reports suggesting a fee of £5 million will be demanded.

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