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Lerner back in English Aston Villa talks
England - 03 August, 2006
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Randy Lerner has thrown back into the English Aston Villa derby, and the United States billionaire might hold the key to the club hiring Martin O'Neill as manager.
The possibility of O'Neill being installed while Doug Ellis remains as chairman was last night dismissed as "completely off-the-wall" by a source close to Lerner. The owner of the NFL Cleveland Browns football team continues to believe that he holds the key to O'Neill's appointment.
O'Neill is surprised by reports indicating he is ready to be introduced as the manager. It was believed by some accounts that he would be confirmed as David O'Leary's successor this week. Within Lerner's group there is also a sense of disbelief given the lack of progress over talks.
"The idea of O'Neill joining camp with Ellis in charge is completely off the wall," said a source.
Aston Villa responded to stories linking O'Neill with the club by insisting no appointment was forthcoming.
"Contrary to rumours circulating there is no announcement planned concerning the appointment of a new manager," said Steve Stride, the club's operations director. "The situation remains ongoing and we will inform fans as and when it is possible. But speculation concerning an announcement is extremely premature."
O'Neill will require assurances about any takeover before deciding to commit. He is not prone to making rash decisions and his circumspection over the uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership is understandable.
The picture could become clearer should Lerner gain control. There remains the possibility of a deal being resurrected, although under vastly different terms to before.
This time, unlike last Wednesday, there will be no face-to-face meeting with Ellis. Instead, Lerner would leave any transaction in the hands of the two banks involved.
Lerner was left bemused by his earlier meeting with Ellis, when he arrived with the intention of making an offer but left frustrated by Elli's posturing.
None of the other parties interested, including the consortiums headed by Athole Still, Michael Neville and Nicholas Padfield QC, have dropped out of the running. But Lerner seems to offer the surest route to O'Neill's arrival.
The possibility of O'Neill being installed while Doug Ellis remains as chairman was last night dismissed as "completely off-the-wall" by a source close to Lerner. The owner of the NFL Cleveland Browns football team continues to believe that he holds the key to O'Neill's appointment.
O'Neill is surprised by reports indicating he is ready to be introduced as the manager. It was believed by some accounts that he would be confirmed as David O'Leary's successor this week. Within Lerner's group there is also a sense of disbelief given the lack of progress over talks.
"The idea of O'Neill joining camp with Ellis in charge is completely off the wall," said a source.
Aston Villa responded to stories linking O'Neill with the club by insisting no appointment was forthcoming.
"Contrary to rumours circulating there is no announcement planned concerning the appointment of a new manager," said Steve Stride, the club's operations director. "The situation remains ongoing and we will inform fans as and when it is possible. But speculation concerning an announcement is extremely premature."
O'Neill will require assurances about any takeover before deciding to commit. He is not prone to making rash decisions and his circumspection over the uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership is understandable.
The picture could become clearer should Lerner gain control. There remains the possibility of a deal being resurrected, although under vastly different terms to before.
This time, unlike last Wednesday, there will be no face-to-face meeting with Ellis. Instead, Lerner would leave any transaction in the hands of the two banks involved.
Lerner was left bemused by his earlier meeting with Ellis, when he arrived with the intention of making an offer but left frustrated by Elli's posturing.
None of the other parties interested, including the consortiums headed by Athole Still, Michael Neville and Nicholas Padfield QC, have dropped out of the running. But Lerner seems to offer the surest route to O'Neill's arrival.
Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 -
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