Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa begin search for new boss to replace Gerard Houllier
ShareAston Villa will today begin their search for a new manager as they pressed ahead with thrashing out the details of Gerard Houllier's severance package.[LNB]The Birmingham club will end the former Liverpool boss's nine month reign after health problems forced a premature end to his tenure.[LNB]A heart issue last month meant Houllier was effectively placed on gardening leave while Villa played out the final few weeks of their campaign in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB] Ill health: Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier will be shown the door[LNB]But with this being Houllier's second cardiac problem and in the face of severe resistance among his own family that he should return to the stresses of frontline management, a parting of the ways was always on the cards.[LNB]Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister has maintained all along that his colleague wanted to return to the job - but this appears to have been little more than a smokescreen.[LNB]Under the terms of Houllier's contract Villa would have to pay a far lower sum in compensation if he were to leave the job because of ill health - rather than if club owner Randy Lerner took the decision to sack him.[LNB]Houllier's reign has been peppered with gaffes since the day he agreed to take over from Martin O'Neill last September.[LNB]Speculation: Everton manager David Moyes[LNB]At his unveiling he was unable to confirm a start date and it wasn't long before he began to fallout with astring of the club's most senior players, culminating in a disastrous trip for Villa to Houllier's former club, Liverpool, last December.[LNB]Lerner bailed out the club's boss by dipping his hand in to his pocket and financing the ?24 million purchaseof Sunderland striker Darren Bent during the January transfer window - astrong show of faith in a manager who was coming under increasing pressure as Villa's season faded in to nothing.[LNB]Astonishingly, back-to-back wins in the final two games of the season over Arsenal and Liverpool respectively pushed Villa up to ninth - a position which few thought possible as they had only confirmed their position in the top flight at the beginning of the month.[LNB]All that remains though in the face of a significant drop in season ticket sales were the terms under which Houllier was to depart.[LNB]With a mammoth compensation figure hanging over Lerner Villa are now trying to reach a compromise with their manager over the manner of his departure.[LNB]It will doubtless be portrayed as 'mutual consent' but there can be no doubt that it is probably best for both parties that the end result is the Frenchman's departure.[LNB]With two thirds of Houllier's ?8million contract still to run, a severance package has been discussed and an announcement could be made on Wednesday. [LNB]Villa owner Randy Lerner has just ended his dispute with former boss Martin O'Neill and could be looking at a pay out of up to ?5m for Houllier.[LNB]Sourcesclose to Villa were adamant on Tuesday morning that 'Gerard is still our manager' and any final decision still had to be formally confirmed. [LNB]Houllier,who underwent heart surgery when Liverpool manager a decade ago, missedthe final month of last season with the latest setback.[LNB] Health fears have Houllier heading for Villa exit with boss in line for ?5m pay-offBusy summer ahead at Old Trafford as Man United chief Gill promises spreeThe 2010/11 managerial merry-go-round: Cardiff sack Dave Jones - 49 bosses gone this seasonAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Martin O'Neill, Darren Bent, Gerard Houllier, Gary McAllister Places: Liverpool
