Bob Bradley Admits Interest in Aston Villa Job

Though English bookmakers have been linking his name to the Aston Villa manager vacancy ever since Martin O'Neill abruptly quit last week, current U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley has said very little on the situation.

That is, until Sunday, when the usually tight-lipped Bradley confirmed that he is indeed interested in the vacant Villa post in an interview on BBC Radio Five Live's "Sportsweek."

Bradley has yet to talk with Villa's American owner Randy Lerner, but his representatives have sent out feelers with the club.
Bradley didn't make any major revelations, but the mere fact he admitted to being interested is noteworthy in-and-of itself.

"I would certainly be honored to have that conversation but I'm impressed with the way things have been handled so far and we'll see what the future holds. I've always been excited about being a manager in Europe but at the same time I'm proud of the work we've done with the U.S. team over the last four years. It is important to consider that as a challenge as well. So we'll see what happens. There have been discussions with some of my representatives to at least find out the situation but Aston Villa seem to have taken a good stance where they have been patient."

A week ago, Villa appeared like it might have an internal solution to replace O'Neill with caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald, who led the team to a convincing 3-0 victory on the opening day of the Premier League season over West Ham United.

Flash forward to Sunday and Villa were embarrassed at the wrong end of a 6-0 thrashing by Newcastle United at St. James Park, putting MacDonald's tenure as coach in question.

Since last week the club has also sold off James Milner to Manchester City for somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million. It flushes the club with cash, but leaves the squad a bit unsettled.

If Bradley is truly intent on taking the Villa job, he'd have to work quick with the European summer transfer window closing on Sept. 1. That said, Villa still do have talent on the books, including American keepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan, along with rising young defender Eric Lichaj.

The ball is in Villa's court. Will Lerner and his staff tab Bradley, proven to be adept on the international level but lacking anything in terms of European club management? Or will they go the more re-tread route, with names like Ronald Koeman swirling about?

Wrapped up in all of this is Bradley's status as U.S. national team coach, as his contract expires at the end of the year.

Considering all the factors in play here, it's hard to see how it pans out.

Bradley, at least, is trying to set himself up for some options.

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