Ruud Gullit has revealed he would be interested in taking over at relegation certainties Aston Villa.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle Dutch legend has been out of a managerial hotseat since he was sacked by Russian side Terek Grozny in 2011.
Premier League basement boys Villa parted company by ‘mutual consent’ with Remi Garde on Wednesday, and Gullit’s brand of “sexy football” could be just the tonic to inspire a promotion charge next season.
When quizzed whether he would be interested in taking over the helm at Villa Park, Gullit told beIN Sport that he would definitely consider any offer made.
Gullit, aged 53, said: “If they come to me then I will really, really consider it.
“I will think about it if I have the people around me also to do that job.
“I feel ready. There were some things that I had to do also in my life.”
Gullit, who became the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup with Chelsea in 1997, is now a pundit for beIN.
And, although he is happy in his current role, the temptation to return to “everyday stress” of management at Villa is tempting.
Gullit added: “I’m happy with what I’m doing here at beIN Sports, I’ve worked here a long time, and I’m happy with what I’m doing.
“People look after me here and you think to yourself, ‘Why would you give that up?’
“Every day is stress, if you want that you can get it. But of course, if they came to me then I would consider it.”
Villa sit 12 points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premier League table and face the prospect of Championship football next season.
Frenchman Garde was relieved of his duty on Wednesday after a disastrous five-month spell that saw him pick up just two victories in the league.
The club is already planning for relegation with a number of boardroom changes.
Former Football Association executive Adrian Bevington joined the board following the recent arrival of ex-FA chairman David Bernstein.
Sir Mervyn King and Brian Little, Villa boss in the 90s, are also new faces in the boardroom.
They will be tasked with finding a new manager at the club, with Nigel Pearson, David Moyes, Sean Dyche and Steve Bruce all expected to figure on their shortlist of recommendations to chairman Steve Hollis and owner Randy Lerner.
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