Euro manager: This is why I turned down Aston Villa job despite wanting to manage in England
By Matt Farr
Saint-Etienne head coach Christophe Galtier has revealed he turned down the opportunity to manage Aston Villa during the 2015-16 season.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the 50-year-old coach revealed he holds an ambition to manage a club in England, but admitted that the Aston Villa job came at the wrong time.
The French chief was identified by Aston Villa as the premier choice to succeed the dismissed Tim Sherwood in October 2015, back when they were in the Premier League.
However, Galtier has admitted that he declined the offer, and Villa instead turned to former Lyon boss Remi Garde; who could not prevent them from being relegated from the top-flight.
Talking in the Daily Telegraph, Galtier said: “It was not because it was a bad season for Aston Villa. It was because it was during the season.
“After I spoke to Aston Villa I was attracted to go to England. But I did not want to leave during the season and leave the club here in difficulty.
“I love, love, love the Premier League but I am not focused on that. But if I could choose – Italy, Spain, Germany, England, it would be England.”
Galtier had a previous coaching stint in England with Portsmouth in 2005, working as then-manager Alain Perrin’s assistant.
He is set to return to England this week, with his Saint-Etienne side poised to go head-to-head with Manchester United in the Europa League round of 32 on Thursday evening.
As for Villa, Galtier may have been thankful to keep his reputation intact after watching Villa continue their free-fall since fellow countryman Garde attempted to steady the ship.
Garde’s side finished bottom of the Premier League last season and was dismissed from his post, but even Roberto Di Matteo and now Steve Bruce have also failed to stop the rot.
Villa are currently 16th in the Championship, without a win in their last seven league games.
In other Aston Villa news, BBC pundit Gary Thompson believes this Aston Villa January signing will start getting the hump, and slams this greedy player.
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