Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Thursday February 7 2008
Time: 2:23PM
UK time is: 05:34:04
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O'Neill Surprised At CEO Departure
Martin O'Neill has spoken about his shock at the resignation of CEO Richard FitzGerald and has told the Birmingham Mail it was nothing to do with him!
O'Neill told the Mail: 'I genuinely got on very well with him. So whatever happened here, or whatever happened with regards to what he's going on to do, it had absolutely nothing to do with me.'
He says he has no idea why Richard left and added that he will have no input as to who will replace him.
O'Neill also explained, 'I'm running this side of events at Bodymoor Heath. I said to the owner I will take complete control of the training ground and everything to do with the playing aspect. Now sometimes there's a crossover of responsibilities, but I'd be hoping the brand or commercial side of Aston Villa Football Club is similarly upheld. All you can do is uphold your own end. If the team are going well, I think it's always easier to sell certain commercial activities, such as boxes, and if we're not doing so well, it rebounds.'
He also questions whether at some point transfer negotiations etc will be done by a CEO adding, 'That may well eventually be the case, but I don't know exactly what Richard's remit was in terms of those things. I want to point out I got on with him very well and I had no problems with him. In fact he helped me out a lot in some things.'
Reading between the lines, I think MON wants it known that Richard FitzGerald didn't leave because of him!
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Your Comments
Bah....hes got something to hide behind those NHS specs!
benham
I reckon MON made a pass at him. Expect a sexual harrasment case some time soon! lol. (Can I just point out I'm taking the ***** if there are any lawyers watching)
DeanoVilla
Haha, Deano, you caved If you're going to be so risque, at least follow through.
Carlosio
ha ha deanovilla, dont put disclaimers on a funny joke ;-)
krisvilla
Who really cares? It's obvious to me Fitzgerald was light-weight. The CEO is supposed to be top-dog, answerable only to the Owner. It always seemed to me that Krulak and O'Neill made all the major decisions and took all the flak.
villacross
It is strange that a man appointed to raise the profile of the club up and a man who was well grounded with a sporting background leaves after such a short time, decides he no longer wants to work within the "Villa Business" and takes his experience and knoweledge elsewhere. Maybe he just had a better offer, time will tell.
col8
Yes, strange one. Maybe this guy brought in to oversee the stadium work was treading on FitzGerald's toes? Its all speculation of course. Hopefully though we'll get a new, strong CEO before too long. Way too important a position to neglect. Give Doug the job. He'd love it.
glensider
Has in fact this ex-Wembley Stadium manager/overseer been appointed as our CEO? I was told last night by two different folks that indeed he had, but I've certainly not read anything confirming same.
glensider
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