O'leary Leaves Villa

[Jon 0]

Aston Villa have parted company with manager David O'Leary.

 

His departure follows a period of apparent unrest at Villa Park and means the club must now search for a new boss as pre-season training continues.

 

O'Leary had been at Villa since June 2003 and they finished sixth in his first Barclays Premiership campaign, however a 10th-placed campaign in 2004-05 and 16th in 2005-06 demonstrated a steady decline in playing fortunes.

 

 

Chairman Doug Ellis has been criticised by supporters who claim he has not invested adequately in the playing staff, and a statement released last Friday, supposedly from the first-team squad, also questioned the club owner's input.

 

A finger of suspicion was aimed by some in the direction of 48-year-old Irishman O'Leary, with questions raised as to whether he was involved in what seemingly transpired with the statement at the training ground last week.

 

A three-man inquiry panel was set up to discover the truth behind the statement and O'Leary held talks with Villa officials on Wednesday evening.

 

The club released a statement which cleared O'Leary of any involvement, but stated that Villa had decided the time was right for a change of management.

 

The statement read: "On 17 July 2006, Aston Villa Plc announced that the board of Aston Villa had set up an internal enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the publication of a statement purportedly from the entire first-team squad.

 

"That enquiry has completed its investigations. Although no misconduct by the manager, David O'Leary was uncovered, as a result of the investigation, it has been agreed that an amicable parting of the ways was in the best interests of all parties.

 

"Accordingly, a compensation package reflecting the situation has been established and it has been mutually agreed to terminate the contract of David O'Leary, with immediate effect."

 

Not really any suprise although when with Leeds I really liked O'Leary. How much does Ellis get away with tho

[Danny 0]

He ran them into the ground and hurt them badly - even if he did take them places in the CL.

 

Not sure just how good a manager he is, seems to be a bit of a mediocre one when he has no chequebook.

[craig 5,199]

He ran them into the ground and hurt them badly - even if he did take them places in the CL.

 

Not sure just how good a manager he is, seems to be a bit of a mediocre one when he has no chequebook.

 

Agree in entirety Danny.

 

He initially looked good at Leeds but assisted to run then into bankruptcy (along with the chairman who wasn't fiscally responsible - hmmmm, I sense a familiar feel to that). Once the purse strings were tightened he wasn't up to much at all.

 

Likewise with Villa he looked OK initially but most clubs do better when they have a new manager - 6th was still a very good finish - but to me his mediocrity was apparent when you see what happened to them subsequent to that initial period

[gisabeer 409]

theres not many good managers around with a cheque book never mind without one. PLG seems hellbent on doing without one the way he goes about his transfer business. We seen what happened to Mcleish when he had do deal with bosmans so i wouldnt be too hard on OLeary as he was strapped for cash himself. Dont think being in a league were the prices and wages are inflated helped either.

[Gazza_8 233]

I didn't see this one coming, I have to admit. I thought Ellis would leave before O'Leary. Oh well, looks like Curbishley will get that job.

[Hurlock 0]

Their fans must be sick of the negativity at looking for a mid-table finish every season, Curbishley is a great shout, they need a kick up the backside.

 

I still think Ellis is slowly destroying the club.