“Kevin Keegan has resigned as manager of Newcastle United after just eight months in charge…
… Keegan was furious to discover members of his already slim squad had been offered for sale during the final hours before the window closed, after he had reluctantly accepted James Milner’s £12m departure to Aston Villa.”
» Busker – Thank You Kevin
At the end of the 2008-2009 season they were relegated.
“Martin O’Neill has resigned as Aston Villa manager with immediate effect…
…(Aston Villa owner) Randy Lerner had backed O’Neill in the transfer market during that spell but it became clear this summer that similar investment would not be forthcoming.
Lerner insisted that Villa would have to adopt a sell-to-buy policy and O’Neill was resigned to losing the services of midfielder James Milner to Manchester City.”
[Nobody at Villa sang about him, but when he was at Celtic]
Derek Warfield-Ballad of Martin O’Neill
At the end of the 2010-2011 season… ???
I know, I know. They season hasn’t started. They haven’t kicked a ball yet. Plus the transfer window is still open and the prospect of managing a Premier League club, even if it’s now a selling one is very tasty for any candidate. Additionally they have a very decent squad – they’ve got Shorey …err… Heskey and um… that other swapsie from City from last season…
Aston Villa are a decent club who will probably finish mid-table now ? I mean… Stop me if you've heard this one...
they are too big to go down.
James Milner. Tied in with both resignations.
But he wasn’t a part of the trouble with the Newcastle > Aston Villa transfer.
Oh wait he was:
“…Aston Villa have announced the signing of James Milner from Newcastle United – the England U-21 international has penned a four-year deal at Villa after passing a medical at Villa Park.
Villa have been after Milner for a couple of years now – and the youngster finally forced the issue by handing in a transfer request earlier this month.
But lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice.
Oh wait. It does:
“I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he’d like to go,” said O’Neill.
“I’d imagine things will be resolved in foreseeable future.”
“City made an offer but it did not meet our valuation.”
“I’m sure matters will be resolved soon.”
As a long suffering (yes I know I’m not allowed to say that anymore) Man City supporter I’m very conflicted.
On the one hand I welcome the prospect of seeing Milner playing over at Eastlands, but on the other hand I question as to why Bob Mankini (and the liability that is Garry Cooke) are stockpiling all these players. With this restriction on a 25 named squad for this season you have to wonder if half of them will be sitting with Robinho up in the stands. Maybe a few will go out on loan, but many of these (very overpaid) prima donnas will immediately start to sulk and demand a move. Shay Given has already started threatening.
Plus when they do get on the pitch it’s not going to be a set line-up. Again with some of these “firebrand” personalities, some of them…most of them like to kick out and have seen a few yellows and reds last season.
With this embarrassment of riches comes the extra trouble and pressure for Mr Mancini and I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t the next to follow O’Neill if the club isn’t topping the league.
As I said I’m very conflicted. It used to be when I mentioned that I was a Man City supporter I got a nod of sympathy from the other party. But now it’s the Mercenary XI and a sneer at their wealth.
I’ll let previous Citeh boss, previously mentioned, to play us out.
Because…
» |
… being a City fan right now. No seriously. Stop laughing. It really isn’t.
oh I’d love it, love it!, if we had your problems 😀
and I drew the same parallels (KK /MO’N) when I heard of his resignation..
it should be an interesting season.. can’t wait. I think.
trying not to laugh but can’t 🙂