Posted August 9, 201014 yr Martin O'Neill has resigned as Aston Villa manager with immediate effect. Kevin MacDonald has been appointed caretaker boss while no reason has been given for O'Neill's decision to leave after four years in the job. MacDonald will prepare the side for their Premier League opener against West Ham on Saturday. O'Neill, appointed in 2006, said: "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club." The 48-year-old O'Neill, who led Villa to their third successive sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, added: "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." Shocker.
August 9, 201014 yr Well he's not taken Villa further since he's been there... Can't help but feel he's annoyed that he's losing his best players, and chances are he won't have been able to see most of that money to re-invest in the squad..
August 9, 201014 yr Must be a row over money, not being allowed to spend the Milner proceeds I guess Good news as it weakens one of our big rivals for 4th
August 9, 201014 yr Villa were never going to challenge for 4th this season. Chelsea, Manchester Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Man City - and perhaps, an outsider, Everton are the only teams that have a chance of getting 4th. Aston Villa don't have the strength in depth. But if they get someone like Jol as manager (seems unlikely tho, but I think he's the favourite atm) who knows.
August 9, 201014 yr Villa were never going to challenge for 4th this season. Chelsea, Manchester Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Man City - and perhaps, an outsider, Everton are the only teams that have a chance of getting 4th. Aston Villa don't have the strength in depth. But if they get someone like Jol as manager (seems unlikely tho, but I think he's the favourite atm) who knows. Curbishley is the fave atm along with Slaven Bilic, Jol is a 20-1 outsider My hunch is Bob Bradley, American owner at Villa and all that
August 9, 201014 yr Must be a row over money, not being allowed to spend the Milner proceeds I guess Good news as it weakens one of our big rivals for 4th I suspect you're right about the money. O'Neill just isn't the sort of person to walk out of a job a few days before the start of the season for no good reason. Unless he's been tipped off that Ferguson is about to quit :o
August 9, 201014 yr After three 6th place finished in a row it's probably not that much of a surprise. I suspect it will be about money. They've not spent anything yet this summer and if they need to sell Milner and/or Young to generate transfer funds then it's understandable because a fourth consecutive 6th is probably out of reach, certainly the maximum they can realistically hope for anyway. He can't take them any further, so why bother?
August 9, 201014 yr I suspect you're right about the money. O'Neill just isn't the sort of person to walk out of a job a few days before the start of the season for no good reason. Unless he's been tipped off that Ferguson is about to quit :o I think O Neill would be quite low on their shortlist tbh, good manager with under achieving clubs and reviving sleeping giants but I think he would not be a Utd level manager. Also his style of football is sleep inducing which wouldn't go down well at Utd. I think Queiroz is nailed on to replace Fergie and if he doesn't get it then would be someone like Mourinho or Hiddink, don't think they would go for O Neill Edited August 9, 201014 yr by I ❤ JustinBieber
August 9, 201014 yr The next Man Utd manager will either be Moyes, Mourinho or a former player such as Scholes/Giggs. O'Neill's no chance. As I first stated I suspect it's something to do with not being allowed money to strenghten the side. Or perhaps someones come in for Ashley Young and he's not happy about it? Would be a huge blow for Villa to lose both Young and Milner. Or maybe he's just pissed off that he can't get Steven Ireland as part of the Milner deal.
August 9, 201014 yr Just looking at a few forums now...seems it's all to do with Lerner sanctioning a move for Young behind O'Neill's back.
August 9, 201014 yr The next Man Utd manager will either be Moyes, Mourinho or a former player such as Scholes/Giggs. O'Neill's no chance. As I first stated I suspect it's something to do with not being allowed money to strenghten the side. Or perhaps someones come in for Ashley Young and he's not happy about it? Would be a huge blow for Villa to lose both Young and Milner. Or maybe he's just pissed off that he can't get Steven Ireland as part of the Milner deal. No way would they appoint someone without a fair bit of experience tbh, look at what a flop Keane has been as a manager bar getting Sunderland promoted after spending massive amounts of money so I think Giggs or Scholes would need to learn their trade at smaller clubs Moyes or Jose are good shouts though
August 9, 201014 yr Just looking at a few forums now...seems it's all to do with Lerner sanctioning a move for Young behind O'Neill's back. We are after Young so could be that Word I am hearing is that he resigned because Lerner accepted a bid from Fulham for Brad Friedel, this comes from a journo acquaintance.
August 9, 201014 yr No way would they appoint someone without a fair bit of experience tbh, look at what a flop Keane has been as a manager bar getting Sunderland promoted after spending massive amounts of money so I think Giggs or Scholes would need to learn their trade at smaller clubs Moyes or Jose are good shouts though That just sums up the short-termist attitude in the game today. OK so Keane hasn't yet achieved massive success but it's too soon to say he's been a flop. My own team, Brighton, have got through far too many mangers in recent years. Gus Poyet went through a bad spell last season shortly after he was appointed. Fortunately, he wasn't sacked and now seems to have turned things round. Look at one of your own examples. Everton have had the odd relegation battle under Moyes but they've stuck with him and he's likely to be among the favourites for the Man U job whenever there's a vacancy. I do agree with you about the likes of Scholes and Giggs. Whoever gets the job has a no chance of matching Ferguson's success so I suspect they'll go for someone who expects the job to be their last in management (which would include O'Neill) or someone like Mourinho.
August 9, 201014 yr Mourinho has said he wants to come back to the Premier League, countless times. In two seasons I guess he wants to win the Champions League for Real, and get a league winners title aswell, or i'm sure all they're really bothered about in Madrid is getting the Champions League title back. When Mourinho comes he'll go to Liverpool or Manchester United, it's nailed on pretty much. I don't see Hodgson as a long term appointment, and i've no idea how long Fergie will last (would imagine he'll retire once he's got past Liverpool in terms of league titles...).
August 9, 201014 yr Mourinho is at Madrid for two reasons. 1) To become the first coach to win the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. 2) To become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different teams, and from three different countries. After that I think he will replace Fergie before managing Portugal and retiring.
August 14, 201014 yr Curbishley is the fave atm along with Slaven Bilic, Jol is a 20-1 outsider My hunch is Bob Bradley, American owner at Villa and all that ;)
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