 |
|
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
   |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
O'Neill returns as Villa manager
 O'Neill has been out of football for 15 months since quitting Celtic. BIRMINGHAM, England -- Martin O'Neill, the former Celtic and Leicester City boss, has been appointed manager of Premier League Aston Villa, the club said on Friday. O'Neill returns to the game after quitting Scottish club Celtic in May 2005 after five years in charge to care for his wife Geraldine who was suffering from a serious illness. "It's fantastic to be back. It's a fantastic challenge," O'Neill told a news conference at Villa Park. "I'm raring to go. I have a lot of enthusiasm." O'Neill, who guided Celtic to the 2003 UEFA Cup final, takes charge after the recent exit of David O'Leary in the close season. O'Neill said he aimed to restore Villa, European champions in 1982 but without a major trophy for 10 years, to their former glories. "Everybody is well aware of the history of the football club and while it seems a long time ago, why not try? "It's nearly a quarter of a century since they won the European Cup, its a long way from that at the minute but it's a dream." O'Neill said he had "some funds available" to spend in the transfer market. "We need to strengthen the side. I have a look quickly at how we are shaping up," he added. "Every manager wants to strengthen... I'm saying that without even knowing the players at close hand." O'Neill's appointment will enable him to take control in time for the club's pre-season tour of Germany and the Netherlands, which begins with Saturday's clash in Hanover. O'Neill was Ellis's number-one target after O'Leary parted company with Villa just over a fortnight ago. Four consortiums are vying to take control at Villa Park. The groups, led by American billionaire Randy Lerner, life-long Villa fan Michael Neville, deputy judge Nicholas Padfield QC and Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent Athole Still, have all indicated they would be happy with O'Neill at the helm. O'Neill gained managerial experience at Shepshed Charterhouse, Grantham and Wycombe before performing wonders with an average group of players at Leicester. O'Neill guided the Foxes to four successive top-10 finishes in the Premiership and two League Cup final triumphs. He joined Celtic in 2000 and transformed their fortunes in taking Scottish dominance away from Rangers. 
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
| © 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map. |
|
External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pay service with live and archived video. 
