Former Arsenal and Chelsea rivals to form shock management partnership

According to the Daily Mail, Thierry Henry is set to be named as the new Aston Villa manager next week following the dismissal of Steve Bruce.

The Frenchman was backed in to take the reins at Villa Park over the summer following the takeover of the club by Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, though the pair decided to show faith in Bruce after last season’s heartbreaking play-off final defeat.

Kevin MacDonald took charge of Villa’s 2-1 loss at Millwall on Saturday, with that result leaving the club down in 15th with just three wins from 12 games but remarkably still just three points off the play-off places.

Another top six finish will be the target now having fallen nine points adrift of the top two already, and it appears as though Henry is the man that the new owners will task with achieving that aim.

The former Arsenal striker has been the assistant to Roberto Martinez at Belgium but is yet to take on his first managerial role, while rumours suggest he will be joined by a high-profile right hand man of his own in John Terry.

The centre-back spent last season at Villa Park but the club’s financial woes ensured that his stay could not be extended. Since the takeover the ex-Chelsea captain has been linked with a return to the club in both a playing and managerial position, with the latest reports suggesting he will join forces with Henry to lead the team this season, although it is unclear as to whether he will take up a playing capacity alongside any coaching duties.