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Krulak Gives O’Neill Parting Shot
Posted on 12. Aug, 2010 by Joe Carter.
Aston Villa director general Charles Krulak has criticised former manager Martin O’Neill, conceding that the Northern Irish Manager did a lot for the club, but saying that the former Celtic boss also made the mistake of thinking he was bigger than the club.
O’Neill walked out of the club yesterday after four successful seasons at the club, seasons when he led the Birmingham side from being relegation candidates to finish in sixth place in three consecutive seasons.
This made the ex Leicester boss extremely popular with the Villa fans and many felt that all was well at Villa Park but reports have surfaced that O’Neill was unhappy that he would not be receiving as much of any monies gained from the sale of his players as he would like.
Krulak though, has moved to quash any thoughts that O’Neill was the victim and that he moved on because he could not move the club on with the current board, saying that O’Neill would not help put the club on a sound financial footing.
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.
“At the same time, I can promise everyone that he knew and understood the long-range plans for the club and bought into them.
“He knew full well about the need to bring wages in line with revenue – the same as every Premiership club.
“He was absolutely supported by the owner during his time with the club. All one needs to do is look at the money spent.
“The reality is that the wage-to-revenue issue was not addressed and Martin apparently was unwilling to help address it. He quit.
“No one person is bigger than our club – not me, not Randy, not Paul Faulkne (chief executive), not Martin.
“What is interesting is that, apparently, only three of those named understand that fact.”
Aston Villa are currently 11/1 with bluesquare to finish in the top four in the Premier League, with Paddy Power offering odds of 10/1 and Stan James 9/1 currently.
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Arrival of Roy Hodgson could tip the scales for Fernando Torres
Posted on 26. Jul, 2010 by Joe Carter.
Pundits have speculated that the arrival of new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could be just the incentive Fernando Torres needs to stay with the Reds.
Hodgson signed a three-year contract with the club in July and has already received prolific endorsements from Liverpool’s biggest players, such as Jamie Carragher and skipper Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard believes that it is Hodgson’s experience that will help the side, calling him the “right man for job”.
The new Liverpool boss succeeds previous manager Rafael Benitez, who parted with the club earlier in the year following a season which saw the Reds unable to qualify for the Champion’s League.
It is thought the arrival of Hodgson could be the lure needed to ensure that Spanish striker Fernando Torres stays with the club, however, Hodgson himself may not be so convinced, after he was quoted as saying he has done all he can to try and retain Torres.
“Unfortunately, I cannot do much more. His beef is with the club and not me,” stated Hodgson.
Though it seems former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish has more faith in Hodgson’s pulling power.
“When Torres sees that and talks with Roy I’m sure he’ll give us good news,” said Dalglish, who managed the Reds between 1985 and 1991 and featured as a player for 10 years.
The Liverpool legend also believes that the side are one to watch this season.
“Signing Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard coming out with a statement saying he is staying gives everyone a lift and it wasn’t a bad week for the club,” said Dalglish.
“Roy is going to stamp his own authority on the club. It is difficult at the moment because the players are coming back in dribs and drabs after the World Cup and you don’t have everyone coming back together it is difficult.”
Betfair offer 33/100 odds that Torres will stay with Liverpool, while giving 97/100 odds that the Spaniard will be leaving Anfield.
