Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill to stay on with club after talks with owner Randy Lerner

12 May 2010 14:10
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is to stay with the club following talks with owner Randy Lerner.[LNB]O'Neill has been Villa boss since 2006, and has just guided the Midlands giants to a sixth placed finish in the Premier League, as well as an appearance in the Carling Cup final and FA Cup semi-finals.[LNB]There had been fears O'Neill would leave following disagreements with the American owner, but fans will be relieved to hear he will be staying on.[LNB] Staying on: Martin O'Neill[LNB]Lerner said: 'Martin will be back next year managing. It has already been settled. He and I spoke on a number of occasions in person and over the phone.[LNB]'Yesterday I dragged him out of a series of meetings with chief executive Paul Faulkner trying to get plans for the summer underway.[LNB]'We feel very good about that because it represents continuity for the players and in many other ways.[LNB]'I think next year will be exciting and worthwhile and I look forward to it.'[LNB]He added: 'I gave Martin assurances that I also wanted to take the team forward.[LNB]'That's been settled. We feel very good about that as it represents continuity for the players and in many other ways.[LNB]'Let me say again, Martin O'Neill will be the manager next season. He has definitely agreed and I wasn't worried that might change.[LNB]'In fact, I would say our working relationship is as close as ever - if not closer.'[LNB]Lerner admits a general 'sell to buy' policy will remain in place and the likesof Curtis Davies, Luke Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey andHabib Beye will be available to leave if the price is right.[LNB]But that will not stop the owner of NFL side the Cleveland Browns making funds available to O'Neill over and above that policy.[LNB] The joy of six: Villa finished strongly despite a final day defeat against Blackburn[LNB]Lerner said: 'I gave Martin the assurance that I also wanted to takethe team forward. A £30 million striker would be out of our budget butthere is money there to be spent on the team.[LNB]'I say that carefully in the context of knowing that the summerbrings a very dynamic environment of players coming and going so I'mcareful not to simply say 'here is a brand new amount of money, go andspend it.[LNB]'I would prefer to say our ambitions remain to get better and we arenot in some sort of mode where we are shutting the door on spending onplayers.[LNB]'Is there a sell to buy policy? I think there is a sell to buy policy in every organisation on the planet.[LNB]'On the other hand if an opportunity arises and the net 'sell tobuy' doesn't equal what is required to take advantage of anopportunity, then you may spend the money. I wouldn't exclude us from the group who would do that.'[LNB][LNB] [LNB]Keeping the boss: Villa owner Lerner[LNB] [LNB]O'Neill himself had previously rejected recent unsubstantiatedinternet rumours that he was unhappy with Lerner's transfer policy.[LNB]He insisted there was no fall-out with Lerner and that he would assess everything with the American at the end of the campaign.[LNB]He has signalled his intention to oversee a major overhaul of the current squad, informing six fringe players that theclub will listen to offers for them.[LNB]Curtis Davies, Luke Young, NigelReo-Coker, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey and Habib Beye were told theycould leave provided any interested club come up with a suitable offer for the players.[LNB]O'Neill was delightedwith his side's overall campaign, and will now be hoping that he can push on next season after summer strengthening.[LNB]The northern Irishman admitted last week that he would need to improve the team just to stand still in a fiercely competitive top flight.[LNB]He said: 'In terms of expectation, it is getting higher and higher. Ifyou achieve a bit of success, you feel you have to move forward at agreat pace.'[LNB]O'Neill has established himself as one of the game's top managers after an illustrious career.[LNB]He previously enjoyed success at Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City and Celtic.[LNB]O'Neill took Wycombe into the Football League, and then won two League Cups during his time at Leicester.[LNB]While in Scotland, he generally took the upper hand over Old Firm rivals Rangers, winning three league titles and three Scottish Cups during his time at Parkhead.[LNB] Woe for Dunne but better news on boss O'Neill as Villa lose to BlackburnAston Villa manager O'Neill believes club must keep pace with rivalsASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail