Aston Villa want quick replacement for Martin O'Neill
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is hoping to bring in a quick replacement for Martin O’Neill as he starts his search for a new manager.
Lerner has launched the process of drawing up a list of potential candidates after O’Neill ended his four-year reign on Monday.
Sources close to the American multi-millionaire indicate he would like any successor in place for Villa’s second Barclays Premier League clash of the campaign at Newcastle on August 22.
Reserve coach Kevin MacDonald will be in charge for the league opener at home to West Ham on Saturday.
The former Liverpool midfielder could also be at the helm for next Thursday’s Europa League tie at Rapid Vienna if the new manager is still not in place.
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has made it known he would be keen to step into the Villa Park hot seat.
The Swede is known to be eager to return to work after his spell as Ivory Coast coach during the World Cup.
Four years ago Eriksson indicated he would be ready to take over at Villa when the victim of a ‘fake sheikh’ sting by a Sunday tabloid.
A source close to the former Manchester City boss said: “Of course Sven would be interested in the Villa job. He is keen to return to the Premier League.”
Eriksson’s agent Athole Still said: “There has been no contact from Aston Villa. Sven gets associated with a lot of big jobs.”
Lerner will not be short of interested parties despite the apparent budget restraints which led to O’Neill deciding to quit the midlands club.
United States coach Bob Bradley, Ajax coach Martin Jol and Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann are all featuring highly in the bookmakers’ odds to replace O’Neill.
