Source: Team_Talk
Villa director hits out at O'Neill
Randy Lerner's right-hand man and Aston Villa director General Charles Krulak has told Martin O'Neill: "No one is bigger than the club."[LNB] Krulak is adamant that O'Neill received full financial backing from Lerner during his four-year spell at Villa.[LNB]But he claimed the former Celtic boss was "unwilling" to come to terms with helping Villa to become more stable financially.[LNB]Krulak told the Villa fansite VillaTalk.com: "There is absolutely no question that Martin did a good job for Villa and I have said that over and over.[LNB]"At the same time, I can promise everyone that he knew and understood the long-range plans for the club and bought into them.[LNB]"He knew full well about the need to bring wages in line with revenue - the same as every Premiership club.[LNB]"He was absolutely supported by the owner during his time with the club. All one needs to do is look at the money spent.[LNB]"The reality is that the wage-to-revenue issue was not addressed and Martin apparently was unwilling to help address it. He quit.[LNB]"No one person is bigger than our club - not me, not Randy, not Paul Faulkner (chief executive), not Martin.[LNB]"What is interesting is that, apparently, only three of those named understand that fact."[LNB]Krulak insists Lerner will not be rushed into finding a replacement for O'Neill.[LNB]But he pledged that Lerner will be making public his thoughts on events during the last 48 hours and the future.[LNB]He said: "What I will say is that we recognise this is an important decision and one that needs to be done rather quickly but, equally important, in a manner that gets the right man.[LNB]"We do know how important this will be. No-one is thinking it will be easy.[LNB]"The reality is that we have four days before our first game and rushing out to get a manager is not the smart thing to do just to have someone on the sidelines."[LNB]Krulak added: "One of the sad things about this whole affair is that Martin left when he did.[LNB]"I agree that the club needs to come out with a statement - and they will.[LNB]"Likewise, Randy will have something to say."[LNB]Lerner has launched the process of drawing up a list of potential candidates after O'Neill ended his four-year reign yesterday.[LNB]Sources close to the American multi-millionaire indicate he would like any successor in place for Villa's second Barclays Premier League clash of the campaign at Newcastle on August 22.[LNB]Reserve coach Kevin MacDonald will be in charge for the league opener at home to West Ham on Saturday.[LNB]The former Liverpool midfielder could also be at the helm for next Thursday's Europa League tie at Rapid Vienna if the new manager is still not in place.[LNB]Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has made it known he would be keen to step into the Villa Park hotseat.[LNB]The Swede is known to be eager to return to work after his spell as Ivory Coast coach during the World Cup.[LNB]Four years ago Eriksson indicated he would be ready to take over at Villa when the victim of a 'fake sheikh' sting by a Sunday tabloid.[LNB]A source close to the former Manchester City boss said: "Of course Sven would be interested in the Villa job. He is keen to return to the Premier League."[LNB]Eriksson's agent Athole Still said: "There has been no contact from Aston Villa. Sven gets associated with a lot of big jobs."[LNB]United States coach Bob Bradley, Ajax coach Martin Jol and Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann are all featuring highly in the bookmakers' odds to replace O'Neill.[LNB]Chief executive Faulkner met with the club's players not on international duty at Bodymoor Heath on Tuesday.[LNB]He explained the events of the last 24 hours and the immediate plans for the future.[LNB]But midfielder James Milner - a key figure in O'Neill's decision to step down - was not present as he is part of the England squad preparing for Wednesday's game with Hungary at Wembley.[LNB]Lerner's predecessor Doug Ellis, who appointed O'Neill as manager, is confident the current regime will find an ideal replacement.[LNB]Ellis said: "I'm saddened and most supporters will be saddened (at O'Neill leaving).[LNB]"But the club is bigger than any one man and, in Randy Lerner, Aston Villa have a good chairman.[LNB]"I know he will find a successor and I hope all supporters will back him and Paul Faulkner in finding the best possible man for the job."
