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Randy Would Allow O’Neill to Depart

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has admitted that he would not stand in the way of Martin O’Neill, should he be asked to replace the woeful Steve McClaren as England Manager.

Following the 2-1 defeat against Russia on the plastic pitch in Moscow, McClaren has come in for the usual volley of abuse that plagues everyone who dares step into the shoes of national team manager and despite an FA vote of confidence; it appears likely that the former Middlesbrough bosses days are numbered.

Amongst the Mourinho’s, Hiddink’s and Scolari’s of this world that are touted as possible replacements, Villa boss O’Neill has popped up again, despite the fact that the FA turned him down as they looked for a replacement for Sven-Göran Eriksson. Should O’Neill be asked, and he wants to go, Lerner would be prepared to let the former Celtic boss take up the role without objection.

Regarding the subject, Lerner said: 'I would not stand in his way.

'Obviously, they would be interested in Martin because of the way he has handled himself at Aston Villa.'

When considering that there was a 5-year plan put in place to drive Aston Villa forward to become a football heavyweight once more, it’d obviously be a severe dent along the way, something that Lerner would have to deal with, and quickly: 'Martin is integral to our plans for Villa. If he left, it would leave us needing to get to work pretty quickly I suppose - but it is something I have never speculated upon.

'It is not unthinkable but is something you do not want to spend too much time on because it's not something you can prepare for. It would have to be dealt with if and when it happened.'

I guess when you consider even Stalin had problems with his 5-year plans, losing Martin O’Neill could pail into insignificance, especially as many a voice has been heard of late accusing him of being out of date, making bad signings and continuing with tactics that aren’t getting consistent results (O’Neill that is, not Stalin, he’s dead!)

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Writer: Murph

Date:Friday October 19 2007

Time: 11:53AM

Your Comments

Hopefully its just paper talk. Id be distraught if MON jumped ship to manage England, things at Villa are just starting to click.....The only way id be happy would be was if Mourinho replaced him as Villa manager. Jose may fancy working with Lerner as he'd be left to do things his way.

son_of_cher

Mourinho apparently agreed with Chelsea not to work for another English club this season, so we'd be waiting a while!

murph

Murph, we are ready to assault the top 6 in the prem. MON has got rid of the wanabees and the deadwood and is slowly adding quality in depth bar Harewood. His tactics can't be that out of date if he is still winning games against top sides. and RE: consistency you can't just suddenly get it, it needs to be built up and other than Man Citeh, Spuz andthe worthless cup, we have had an excellent season so far. Who could do as good a job other than Wenger with as little funds spent?? And don't say Stalin, we have had enough of Russkiis this week

Villan444

Wow, I hadn't even contemplated the link between Stalin, Russia and that result, and the fact this story is related to it. I'm better at this article writing lark than I thought :-D

murph

AVFC48 for England i say! What else could Randy say? Say he wouldn't let MON go and it could annoy MON, say yes and everyone start to take it as read that he is leaving. At the moment there is no job and if there was there would be plenty of takers despite the FAs awful record. I'm not so sure that MON would want it given the opportunity he has with Randy. And even if he went, the number of managers wanting this job would be endless, it has to be one of the top UK, European jobs now. So, why worry?

Gordonsleftboot

Do you not think it is time for MON to come out and state his intentions?

KSarge1

I think O Neill needs to say something now its not fair on us

Pking

I don't think MON needs to say anything, lets face it there is still the little problem with the fact that McClaren is still the england boss. MON will stay, I'd like to see Jose manage england, that would be intresting.

*Holte*End*Star*

Jose for England and hope that we get Russia in the next World Cup group qualifiers. Revenge for every one

Villan444

MON will quite rightly not talk about this link, I'm sure he'll just say that he doesn't talk about other people's jobs. The press could have left all this until McClaren was sacked (if indeed the FA have the balls to sack him) surely?

The Fear

Murph for nobel prize in literature @;-)

Villan444

Could O Neill not state that he's only interested managing Villa and no one else without mentioning England

Pking

Why should MON say anything? The only people who are hyping up this link are the gutter press. Why do Villa fans continually get themselves steamed up about the rubbish they read in the newspaper? Chill ...

BobTheBuilder

P.S. If you are going to read anything on this subject, read what the men themselves actually said, rather than the spin put on a selected part of what they said by a journo. For instance "[MON's] view [of what RAL is quoted as saying] is that he was answering hypothetical questions." and "I don't want to say anything else, because I think that you say is absolutely and utterly misconstrued." Nuff said I think.

BobTheBuilder

william hill pr:
STUART PEARCE BACKED FOR ENGLAND JOB........Jose Mourinho is 11/2 favourite with William Hill to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager, but Hills report backing for Stuart Pearce and Martin O'Neill to get the top job should the current incumbent depart. Hills have halved both of them from 14/1 to 7/1 joint third favourites behind 6/1 second favourite Phil Scolari while Russia boss, Guus Hiddink, is also quoted at 7/1. Hills offer both Sam Allardyce and Arsene Wenger at 8/1. McClaren is 4/11 with Hills to be gone before the start of the Euro 08 finals and 2/1 to survive until then.

The Fear

got to talk about something though bob the builder, it is an interesting point, if they came in for him (don't think they will) would he go (don't think he would!)

The Fear

if MON goes. he should be replaced with Mourinho. i would welcome him with open arms, mourinho is the sort of manager who would be a legend. however i do not want MON to go :)

industrial_musical

Its all hypothetical. MON aint going anywhere, let alone to manage/coach the England national team. Personally I'd offer the job to Stuart Pearce. I think the guy is cut out for the job, I really do. I believe he's more suited for the position than he ever is for a return to top level club management. MON though, it aint gonna happen. He didn't appeal to the blazers last time. What's changed?

glensider

He aint going, just heard on a skysports interview that its a hypothetical comment and that Mon thinks they'll qualify anyway.

villabikes29

If it comes up he'll go.

Pking

i cant see why he cant manage england AND villa given in 2 years time most the england team will be villa players it makes sense; he'll get to train them every day :-P

shortshadyuk

I don't have a problem with people discussing this, JPF, it only irks me when people get themselves worked up about stuff they read in the papers, and then demand statements from MON, RAL, whoever. If it's just speculation, as it obviously is, why can't we just chill and chat about it amongst ourselves. MON and RAL have better things to do than to keep issuing statements in response to press garbage ... :o)

BobTheBuilder

RL's comments, although well meant, put MON in a slightly difficult situation. This is a situation where the words 'no comment' are the most appropriate.

glensider

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