The League Managers Association (LMA) can confirm that Martin O’Neill has left Aston Villa Football Club with immediate effect.
O’Neill who has managed over 800 games in professional football joined Villa in August 2006. Having stabilised the club in his first season, O’Neill went on to improve the club’s points total in the Barclays Premier League in the following three seasons. Other notable successes during his time in charge at Villa Park included European qualification and two Wembley appearances last season, their first final in 10 years in the Carling Cup.
Prior to joining Villa, O'Neill delivered success for Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City and Celtic. His prodigious achievements at all levels of the game include eight major trophies and three promotions in a managerial career now spanning over 20 years.
On his departure from Aston Villa, O’Neill was the 11th longest serving manager in English football.
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.”
Martin O’Neill said: “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.”
Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the LMA said, “The LMA shares Martin’s disappointment at him leaving Aston Villa. He has achieved great success not just with Villa but throughout his managerial career. He is a great example to all aspiring managers having built the foundations in non-league football to then go on to successfully manage at the highest level in the game.” |
