Martin O’Neill stands down as Villa Boss

Wow, I did not see that coming. I was just in the middle of writing an epic season preview (including a bit where I mentioned that O’Neill looked really bored of Villa. Maybe I did sort of see it coming) as an apology for being away for a week, and BAM! Here comes the first shock managerial move of the season.

On the eve of the season, Martin O’Neill has walked away from Aston Villa.
“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.” – Came his official statement.

So what now for Villa? And what now for O’Neill? He’s been constantly touted as a replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, and probably would be fancied by quite a few clubs, but its tough to imagine anyone will make an immediate move for him.

Villa had sort of been stuck in a rut though, as I was going to point out in my season preview. They are too good to fall down the table, but not really good enough to break into the Champions League, and O’Neill has looked frustrated for the past few seasons. But still, this is surely the first big moment of the new season. Its good to be back.

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Category: Managerial Merry-Go-Round, Villa