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O'Neill quits as Villa manager days before kickoff
Source: Agencies |
August 10, 2010, Tuesday
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MARTIN O'Neill surprisingly quit as manager of Aston Villa yesterday, just five days before the start of the Premier League season.
Although Villa gave no reason for the sudden departure, O'Neill has been frustrated in recent weeks by the potential sale of key players James Milner and Ashley Young - having lost midfielder Gareth Barry the previous year without being able to secure a high-profile replacement.
"It definitely was a bit of a surprise," said Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who is in the United States ahead of a friendly with Brazil. "I spoke to some of the guys on the team, and from what they said, he left training this morning and obviously made an announcement this afternoon.
"I'm not sure (why). We've got to find a way to move forward and get ready for the start of the season."
Last season, Villa finished sixth for the third year in a row, and O'Neill has been widely credited for making the club a solid contender for European competition spots since replacing David O'Leary in 2006 after a year's break from the game.
However, the club has failed to break into the top four of the Premier League, and O'Neill has reportedly been at odds with American owner Randy Lerner over a perceived lack of financial backing needed to make the club a Champions League contender.
"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely," the 58-year-old O'Neill said in a brief statement on the club website. "It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club."
After talks in May, Lerner had convinced O'Neill to stay at the club after weeks of speculation that the former Celtic and Leicester manager might leave. Now Lerner is searching for a replacement, with reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald in temporary charge as Villa prepares to host West Ham on Saturday in its Premier League opener.
"The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years," Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said. "He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management."
US coach Bob Bradley has already been linked with the job. His representatives last month discussed him potentially taking the Fulham job, which went to Mark Hughes.
"I've said over and over as well that (I'm) always excited about new and different challenges," Bradley said Monday. "Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do. ... People spoke to Fulham on my behalf. I did not actually speak to anyone at Fulham."
Guzan certainly believes that Bradley is up to the job of coaching a non-American team for the first time.
"He's obviously a good manager," Guzan said. "When you're at that level and you've put in good performances it's going to go noticed by big clubs all around the world.
"And so for him, obviously I'm sure he's honored by being put in the mix."
Although Villa gave no reason for the sudden departure, O'Neill has been frustrated in recent weeks by the potential sale of key players James Milner and Ashley Young - having lost midfielder Gareth Barry the previous year without being able to secure a high-profile replacement.
"It definitely was a bit of a surprise," said Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who is in the United States ahead of a friendly with Brazil. "I spoke to some of the guys on the team, and from what they said, he left training this morning and obviously made an announcement this afternoon.
"I'm not sure (why). We've got to find a way to move forward and get ready for the start of the season."
Last season, Villa finished sixth for the third year in a row, and O'Neill has been widely credited for making the club a solid contender for European competition spots since replacing David O'Leary in 2006 after a year's break from the game.
However, the club has failed to break into the top four of the Premier League, and O'Neill has reportedly been at odds with American owner Randy Lerner over a perceived lack of financial backing needed to make the club a Champions League contender.
"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely," the 58-year-old O'Neill said in a brief statement on the club website. "It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club."
After talks in May, Lerner had convinced O'Neill to stay at the club after weeks of speculation that the former Celtic and Leicester manager might leave. Now Lerner is searching for a replacement, with reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald in temporary charge as Villa prepares to host West Ham on Saturday in its Premier League opener.
"The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years," Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said. "He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management."
US coach Bob Bradley has already been linked with the job. His representatives last month discussed him potentially taking the Fulham job, which went to Mark Hughes.
"I've said over and over as well that (I'm) always excited about new and different challenges," Bradley said Monday. "Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do. ... People spoke to Fulham on my behalf. I did not actually speak to anyone at Fulham."
Guzan certainly believes that Bradley is up to the job of coaching a non-American team for the first time.
"He's obviously a good manager," Guzan said. "When you're at that level and you've put in good performances it's going to go noticed by big clubs all around the world.
"And so for him, obviously I'm sure he's honored by being put in the mix."
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