Striker Darren Bent wants Aston Villa to appoint a “hungry” manager who can bring stability and understand the passion of the club's fans.
Bent said he was disappointed to see Alex McLeish depart, having had the utmost respect for his former boss.
But Villa’s record signing said he was hoping the new man would arrive with fresh ideas.
Bent admitted the players needed to work under a settled manager, rather than chopping and changing every summer.
“There’s lots of clubs where the manager’s been in charge for a while and you watch the club grow,” he said.
“Villa under Martin O’Neill, back in the day, finished sixth three years in a row and were on the up before whatever happened, happened.
“A new manager will bring stability to Aston Villa so that the club can move forward and grow.
“Whoever gets the job I am sure will understand the passion of the club and what that means to the fans.
“It’s exciting. We have no idea who it will be but whoever it is I am sure they’ll come in, do a good job, take that passion for Villa and take us where we belong.
“There are good players and with one or two additions that the manager will have in mind I’m sure we will have a better season than the last.”
Bent admitted last season was nowhere near good enough for a club of Villa’s standing as they finished just two points clear of the relegation zone.
“Aston Villa shouldn’t be associated with a relegation battle,” he said. “Two seasons ago it happened slightly, but we eventually finished ninth.
“Then last season we managed to survive by the skin of our teeth. It’s not something associated with Aston Villa.
“The new manager coming in will know that. He’ll be hungry and understand what it means to the fans.”
Bent said he was anxious to make up for lost time after missing the last two and a half months of the season with a severe ankle problem.
The £24 million striker was carried off at Wigan in February and has been rehabilitating from surgery ever since.
He was disappointed to have been overlooked for a Euro 2012 place this summer, but hopes England’s loss will be Villa’s gain.
“My sole purpose now is doing well for Aston Villa,” he added. “I have been injured and not played towards the end of the season, missing 20 games.
“I will be in for a lot of the summer, I can get my fitness up and work with the coach and get ready.
“It’s been horrible not being able to play. People who know me know that I hate being injured. I hate watching matches because I can’t relax and struggle to focus and concentrate. It’s crazy.
“I hate it, but next season it’s all about being fully over this injury and starting well.”
