Houllier leaves Villa

[Shaggy]

It's a real shame Rafa has his heart set on staying here, cos at this ****ing rate he'd be lucky to get the Torquay job!

[lickedlollipop]

good luck to Gerard.. wish him the best.

[Shaggy]

AVFCOfficial Aston Villa FC
Club statement: Gerard Houllier steps down as manager. http://bit.ly/iYP55Q #avfc

The Club can confirm that, by mutual consent, Gerard Houllier has stepped down as manager of Aston Villa with immediate effect.

The 63-year-old took charge in September 2010 but suffered a dissection of the descending aorta in April 2011.

He was unable to take charge of team affairs for the final five games of the season and doctors have advised that he will require further time to recuperate.

The Club and Gerard have agreed amicably to this resolution and the search has begun for a new manager in order to prepare the team for the coming season.

"I would like to thank Gerard for his considerable efforts over the past nine months and for the dedication, commitment and work ethic he has demonstrated as Villa manager," said chief executive Paul Faulkner.

"We regret the circumstances of Gerard's departure and, naturally, we wish him well in his continued recovery.

"I know I speak for everyone associated with Aston Villa in expressing our hope that Gerard will return to full health as quickly as possible and we wish him all the best for the future.

"As a Board we are very conscious of the need to ensure that the Club is prepared fully to meet the demands of the new season and, to that end, we have already embarked upon the process which will lead to the appointment of a new manager.

"We will update when appropriate and until such time as we can make an announcement there will be no further comment from the Club on this matter."

Gerard Houllier said: "I am extremely disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to manage Aston Villa next season.

"My health has improved considerably since I was taken ill on April 20. I now intend to take the next few months to concentrate on recuperating fully before I may return to football.

"I was very much looking forward to the prospect of my first full season as Villa manager and returning for pre-season training to prepare for the campaign ahead, a luxury that I did not have last season.

"I have been extremely touched by all of the messages I have received and by the reaction of people throughout the world of football.

"I am very grateful to the Villa fans for their genuine concern and encouragement and to the fans of clubs up and down the country for their kind sentiments.

"I would especially like to thank my assistant manager, Gary McAllister, my staff, the players and all at Aston Villa for their support and, of course, for their efforts in securing a very positive end to last season.

"It has been an honour to manage this great club and I wish everyone connected with Aston Villa every success for the future."

[Chazza]

Confirmed

bensmith_Times Ben Smith
#AVFC announce Gerard Houllier has "stepped down" as manager.
39 seconds ago

Too slow

[Neil Young]

I wish one of the non-banning empowered mods (they have the time) would change the title. Euphemisms are so popular on here every time I see this thread I think he's died.

I'm not trying to be facetious. I don't like thinking that thought.

[Chazza]

Statement from Villa

The Club can confirm that, by mutual consent, Gerard Houllier has stepped down as manager of Aston Villa with immediate effect.

The 63-year-old took charge in September 2010 but suffered a dissection of the descending aorta in April 2011.

He was unable to take charge of team affairs for the final five games of the season and doctors have advised that he will require further time to recuperate.

The Club and Gerard have agreed amicably to this resolution and the search has begun for a new manager in order to prepare the team for the coming season.

I would like to thank Gerard for his considerable efforts over the past nine months and for the dedication, commitment and work ethic he has demonstrated as Villa manager," said chief executive Paul Faulkner.

"We regret the circumstances of Gerard's departure and, naturally, we wish him well in his continued recovery.

"I know I speak for everyone associated with Aston Villa in expressing our hope that Gerard will return to full health as quickly as possible and we wish him all the best for the future.

"As a Board we are very conscious of the need to ensure that the Club is prepared fully to meet the demands of the new season and, to that end, we have already embarked upon the process which will lead to the appointment of a new manager.

"We will update when appropriate and until such time as we can make an announcement there will be no further comment from the Club on this matter."

Gerard Houllier said: "I am extremely disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to manage Aston Villa next season.

"My health has improved considerably since I was taken ill on April 20. I now intend to take the next few months to concentrate on recuperating fully before I may return to football.

"I was very much looking forward to the prospect of my first full season as Villa manager and returning for pre-season training to prepare for the campaign ahead, a luxury that I did not have last season.

"I have been extremely touched by all of the messages I have received and by the reaction of people throughout the world of football.

"I am very grateful to the Villa fans for their genuine concern and encouragement and to the fans of clubs up and down the country for their kind sentiments.

"I would especially like to thank my assistant manager, Gary McAllister, my staff, the players and all at Aston Villa for their support and, of course, for their efforts in securing a very positive end to last season.

"It has been an honour to manage this great club and I wish everyone connected with Aston Villa every success for the future."

[Shaggy]

garbosj Ian McGarry
Hughes is first choice for Lerner at #AVFC. Only other candidate is David Moyes but I dont think he will leave #EFC.

[Craig_H]

^^ That's the same McGarry who said LFC were convinced they had Ashley Young.

[Shaggy]

Rafa's never gonna get a ****ing job over here.

MirrorFootball MirrorFootball
BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Mark Hughes will quit Fulham this morning to take Villa job #ffc #avfc

[Chazza]

Was watching the paper round up this morning on SSN and they were saying if Hughes goes then Fulham will go for Martinez

Would have thought O'Neill would be in with a shout

As for Rafa it has to be the media bile that has been spewed which stops him being considered

[Lee]

Rafa's never gonna get a ****ing job over here.

As for Rafa it has to be the media bile that has been spewed which stops him being considered

Rafa is better than the likes of Villa anyway. **** them and **** the English media.

[Fernandinho]

If Martinez goes to Fulham would Rafa to Wigan make sense? He wants to stay in Liverpool and Wigan is nearby isn't it?

[Lee]

He's too ****ing good for Wigan! And Whealan is a cunt.

[Gray]

Hughes is nailed on for Villa

[Exiled_red]

Was watching the paper round up this morning on SSN and they were saying if Hughes goes then Fulham will go for Martinez

Would have thought O'Neill would be in with a shout

As for Rafa it has to be the media bile that has been spewed which stops him being considered

If Martinez goes to Fulham would Rafa to Wigan make sense? He wants to stay in Liverpool and Wigan is nearby isn't it?

I would be suprised if Martinez left Wigan for Fulham, Whelan promised he would still be in a job even if they went down, I'm sure he also said he was just starting to get the team playing how he wanted them to. He also has a strong bond with the club and the fans from his playing days, I'd expect him to stay at Wigan for a few more years and then take a bigger job.