Martin O'Neill pushed over the edge by James Milner Transfer deal; Kevin MacDonald for Aston Villa – West Ham fixture
The James Milner transfer saga has been one of the most talked about ones in English football, after the Cesc Fabregas soap opera (will he join Barcelona? Won’t he?), of course, that just does not seem to end.
Now Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has finally resigned, and James Milner’s protracted move to Manchester City (finally set to go through) is also believed to be a major reason behind O’Neill’s departure days before Aston Villa’s first Premier League fixture against West Ham United. Kevin MacDonald will be taking over managerial duties for now. Now the move does look likely to go ahead, but Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini must consider some facts before signing the midfielder.
It might not be fair to say this, but it is true that Milner in his short career has accounted for the jobs of two managers. When James Milner was at Newcastle United, Kevin Keegan had taken over for his 2nd spell, and even then, it was the transfer of Milner in question that prompted problems for Keegan at Newcastle. And eventually Keegan did leave Newcastle after Milner’s transfer to Aston Villa.
Kevin Keegan was dubbed as the messiah for Newcastle when he was brought back as manager of the club. He was very unhappy about the sale of Milner; he said that he was not consulted and he was not at all in favour of letting the player go. In those days, there was an experimental new system employed at Newcastle where Director of football Dennis Wise had more say in the club than the manager.
That time it was Martin O’Neill who benefitted from the situation, as he acquired the services of one of the most talented young players in England. Now, though, it sure looks like he was on the receiving end.
It is quite unheard of that a manager leaves a club just days before the start of the Premier League season; till now no reasons have been given by either party.
It is believed that the departure of Milner is not the only reason for the departure of O’Neill. The dip in form for Villa at the end of last season is also believed to be one of the reasons behind his exit.
Martin O’Neill said last season that the team needs to improve a lot if they are to progress up in the Premier League table. He expressed his frustration last season when Gareth Barry decided to leave for Manchester City and he did say that if this continued to happen, no team would be able to match the ‘Big Four’ or anyone with an unlimited amount of cash (Manchester City, for example). Now just to push him over the edge, in came Manchester City with a lot of green and hassled Villa till they actually gave up the player.
O’Neill had also said that he wanted proper funds to improve his squad and keep his current crop, but till now he was not able to sign any players. Add to that his young team that is on the brink of being dismantled.
The transfer-switch of James Milner to City and Stephen Ireland to Villa may be completed by the end of this week.
There some other players in the team that were also speculated to leave Villa Park and O’Neill was not at all happy about that. The promising winger Ashley Young, who has been described a number of times as a genius, is also believed to be on his way out to Tottenham Hotspur (The Spurs have held talks with Aston Villa over a projected £20 million move.)
Now if players are sold against the will of the manager, it will definitely push a frustrated manager over the edge. The resignation of O’Neill, therefore, did not come as a big surprise to those who knew about these happenings.
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