Martin O’Neill resigns as Aston Villa manager
Martin O’Neill has left Aston Villa with immediate effect, just days before the start of the new Premier League season.
The 58-year-old joined Villa Park in 2006 and guided the Villains to the League Cup Final last season, but has become the first Premier League manager to leave his post this season before it’s even begun.
"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely," O’Neill said in a statement.
"It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club. I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.
"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties."
As yet, it’s unclear why O’Neill has decided to walk away from the club at such an unusual time - although his statement pointedly made no reference to Villa owner Randy Lerner - it’s believed that James Milner’s future has certainly been a contentious issue in recent weeks – just two years after Kevin Keegan left Newcastle United after the club’s board sold the England international to Villa.
Reserve team manager, Kevin MacDonald, assumes the role of caretaker manager and will be in charge of the club’s opening Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday, as the club bids to find a suitable replacement.
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Aston Villa, thanked the departing manager for his four years of service and wished him all the best for the future.
"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," he added.
Replacing O’Neill will be no mean feat; he guided the Premier League outfit to sixth place three seasons in a row and came close to securing Champions League football at the end of the 2008/09 campaign.
The likes of Alan Curbishley and Slaven Bilic have been linked to take over at Villa Park; but whoever comes in next, they will undoubtedly have huge boots to fill.
http://www.senore.com/Who-will-replace-Martin-ONeill-early-front-runners-a20985
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