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O’Neill resigns as Aston Villa manager

Martin O'Neill (ISIphotos.com)

In one of the more shocking developments of the summer, Martin O'Neill has resigned as Aston Villa manager.

The sudden resignation comes just days before the English Premier League season is to get underway.

Aston Villa has appointed reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald as interim manager.The early speculation is that O'Neill has resigned amid frustration over Aston Villa's restrictive transfer budget.

The news could have a significant impact on a handful of American players at Aston Villa. Goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan both joined Aston Villa during O'Neill's tenure. Young fullback Eric Lichaj could also see the impact of this surprising news.

What do you think of this development? Think Friedel leaves this winter? Hoping MacDonald gives Lichaj some playing time? Who do you see taking over as Aston Villa manager when the dust settles (Bob Bradley?)?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. This is very shocking news. Last I knew Martin O’Neill and Lerner had a very good working relationship and it was Lerner who was the anti-Glazers/Gillet & Hicks.

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  2. Limited in what way… the only true limitation I can think he might have would be that his “name’ does not jump off the page in attracting “big name players”… Aston Villa is not going to be buying any “big name players”… they don’t have the cash…

    If you are looking for a guy to get the best out what he has… Bob has a proven track record… I also love the argument regarding how different the league is etc… Roy Hodgeson and Tony Pulis did not play anything close to the “style” that others play and they safe in the middle of the table… don’t we perhaps make too much of the “style”…

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  3. Misread, Guzan has been iffy since he got to Villa, they need an insurance policy at Goalkeeper, especially since they only have 2 on their roster currently that could play in the EPL. (Sold Marshall, who was simply taking up space as third choice keeper)

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  4. I was simply talking preseason on Friedel, he isn’t looking that sharp. I know he was good last season, I watched all of the games. Notice how I never said Guzan should start, I meant we may need to look elsewhere if he continues his preseason form.

    Also, you may want to consider how important Warnock and Dunne were to the team. I’m just saying that 16-18 million pounds plus Ireland is a better deal than just Milner. Villa needs more players, they have a young squad. The reasons Villa hasn’t pushed into the top 4 are depth (notice how they fall off in March every season?), consistency in attack, and the lack of a true defensive midfielder. Most Villa fans were hoping to trade Milner for Ireland. Use the leftover money to buy Keane, and to strengthen right back. It’s a good deal because it allows the team to address the achilles heel that keeps them out of the top four.

    Friedel’s pre-season is worrying to Villa fans. Milner can certainly be replaced with Ireland and 18 million. That deal is highway robbery.

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  5. You are crazed. MANAGING a premier league team is very different than coaching an MLS team. Bradley would bomb big time, the responsibilities are far too varied and he’s far too limited.

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  6. THE RUMOR NOW is that the last straw that made O’Neill leave is that Villa are selling Brad Friedel to Fulham as a replacement for Mark Schwarzer……..!

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  7. if you look at the current 19 premier league managers, 15 of them had experience in britain as a player or a coach before taking hold of a premier league club and the other 4 (wenger, ancelotti, mancini, and grant) had won a league title with another european club before they went to the premier league

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  8. I just don’t have faith in his ability to take a team like Villa to the next level, honestly. I guess I don’t know who I’d want to take over for O’Neill, but I hope it’s not Sven. Maybe Slaven Bilić?

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  9. i would love to see him in the premier league too, but people who say he needs to learn the trade aren’t too far off. the mls is far different from the premier league in terms of style of play, media pressure, the FA, etc. international football is wayyyy different from the premier league bc you arent with the players on a daily basis. there is nothing wrong with that argument and i dont think it has anything to do with an inferiority complex.

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  10. You’re joking right? Friedel, Young, and Milner are the only reasons your side finished 6th last season. Friedel was arguable the best keeper in the Prem last year, taking Joe Hart on loan to replace him instead of just letting Guzan take over is a joke.

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  11. Yes learn the trade…certainly learned nothing being the head man of a nation in the top 15 in the world… certainly learned nothing earning MLS coach of the year honors… I mean this Ivy League graduate has so much to LEARN…

    People… can we seriously stop with the inferiority complexes?

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  12. Yep, this is a job too big for Bradley.

    IMO, he should start at a Championship side to learn the trade before heading to the bright lights of the EPL.

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  13. i would love it if junior went to villa, it seems like a good fit. he could be the perfect replacement for stiliyan petrov in a year (or maybe even now) and with fabian delph as his CM partner in a couple years time, that would be a quality CM pairing. never been too sold on the everton talk, as i feel he would have a tough time breaking into that midfield. fellaini would be his main rival for that holding MF spot, and i know ppl will disagree with this, but i feel like fellaini is just as good if not better than bradley.

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  14. Oh I agree completely. If I was an owner, I would pass on the big baby who was frustrated with tranfers. What manager with a budget isn’t? Sheesh, talk about unprofessional – 6 days before the start of season? Ridiculous…

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  15. lol that’s why I asked.

    I know it had “ZERO” to do with the post…. but this was one of the more recent post, with the most comments, and there wasn’t one involving my question that is why I asked the question here:)

    anyway on to this O’Neill situation, lol;)

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  16. The transfer of James Milner was also one of the reasons Keegan resigned from Newcastle, I think. Two managers in consecutive seasons- watch out, Mancini!

    (No, I’m no serious…)

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  17. A Bradley for Oneil swap would be great. Maybe a good season in the premiership will give him respect from US fans, because he is somehow more respected abroad than in here.

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  18. well…i guess calling someone a clown is grounds for deleting of comments lol. No but really what’s the deal with that, is it because it was off topic? I hope so other wise WOW!

    How many times has BB been called a clown in the past month?

    (SBI-Jim, your comment had ZERO to do with this post, AND was an unsubstantiated rumor.)

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  19. Well I meant last season when Wenger blasted O’Neill for playing dull “long ball” soccer, but yes agreed, if Wenger came to coach USMNT, I’d be too happy to know what to deal with myself.

    Especially when we have players like Bradley and Altidore who are very physical, a trait Arsenal players sorely lack. Wenger could then teach Bradley, Altidore, etc. skill, ACCURATE PASSING, etc. which would complement their strength nicely. Ahh 🙂 okay done dreaming. Back to reality.

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  20. This is a big blow to Aston Villa, not sure how this­ season is going to pan out for them now, before­ Martin O’Neill came they were struggling to stay in the prem­ier league and now losing one of the best players as well as a top­ manager it looks doomed.

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  21. If DCU gave Onalfo a guaranteed contract for 3 yrs (900k total) then they can certainly afford to risk similar amount for someone like O’Neill for a just a year or two.

    Not sure if O’Neill is even interested in MLS since he left Villa due to restrictive transfer budget.

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  22. Except that O’neil was the same when he was at Celtic and had the top offensive force in the league with Larsson. I think he just plays his system, period.

    On a related note – I feel like American soccer is slowly emerging from its fascination with English football. With rare exception, I don’t want a coach from the British Isles. I’d prefer a South American first, followed by A european. I mean – where is the track record of international success that justifies the love affair with Brit ball? I just do not think the ultimate American style will look much how Martin O’Neil, good as he is, will have us play

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  23. I just looked it up and it’s a friendly so if he goes on to get his US citizenship he can do what Castillo and Jones did to play for the USMNT. Also, how does playing for the country you consider yourself to be from make you a clown? Maybe he has found out the citizenship thing isn’t happening fast enough or maybe he just wants to check out Armenia first.

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  24. If I was Lerner I’d give the job to Bob ONLY if he brings his son at a discount rate. Then if it goes bad, fire Bob and sell Mikey for more money in December.

    Of course you’d have to sell off the Bornstien’s and whoever else that Bob brought along at a loss.

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