O’Neill quits as Aston Villa

(GSM) – Martin O’Neill has rocked Aston Villa by resigning as manager with immediate effect just five days before the start of the new Premier League season.

Reports had emerged earlier on Monday that the former Leicester and Celtic boss was set to depart Villa Park after being frustrated by the club’s transfer policy and the expected sale of James Milner to Manchester City.

Villa have now confirmed the news of O’Neill’s departure and revealed that Kevin MacDonald, reserve team manager, will assume the role of caretaker boss ahead of the start of the new season against West Ham United on Saturday.

O’Neill told Villa’s official website: “I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely.

“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.”

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Aston Villa, said: “The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years.

“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. We wish him the best in the future.”

An additional statement from Villa read: “No further comment will be made by either Aston Villa or Martin O’Neill until further notice.”

It had been speculated, at the end of last season, that O’Neill was set to resign because Villa did not match his ambition to force their way into the top four of the Premier League.

The earlier sale of Gareth Barry to City and a reluctance from club owner Randy Lerner to finance new signings has also been rumoured to have played a part in O’Neill’s decision.