Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of Aston Villa just five days before the start of the Premier League season.
There had been speculation over his future at Villa Park with the impending sale of James Milner and interest in Ashley Young from Premier League rivals.
O'Neill was close to leaving Villa at the end of last season but opted to stay after talks with owner Randy Lerner.
"Aston Villa can confirm that Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of the football club with immediate effect,'' the club said in a statement.
"Kevin MacDonald, reserve team manager, has assumed the role of caretaker manager and will prepare the team for the opening Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday at Villa Park.''
Martin O'Neill added: "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club.
"I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.
"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short-term with regard to the handover of my duties."
O'Neill took charge of Villa almost four years to the day, replacing Irishman David O'Leary at the helm. Afterguiding the club to 11th in his first season in charge, Villa then finished sixth in each of the following three seasons.
He also led the club to the Carling Cup final last term, where they lost 2-1 to Manchester United, and also the FA Cup semi-finals - only for Chelsea to oust them at Wembley.
But O'Neil's tenure at Villa Park was tainted by poor performances in the second half of the season, which cost them the chance of Champions League football.
O'Neill, who enjoyed successful spells in charge of Leicester City and Celtic before moving to the Midlands, is thought to have grown frustrated with a lack of funds to push the club on to the next level.
That was not helped by the sale of Gareth Barry to Manchester City last summer, and with James Milner almost certain to walk the same path, speculation is rife that a frustration at not being able to strengthen is to blame for O'Neill's departure.
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Aston Villa, said: "The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years.
"He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management. We wish him the best in the future."
The League Managers' Association released a statement from chief executive Richard Bevan which read: "The LMA shares Martin's disappointment at him leaving Aston Villa. He has achieved great success not just with Villa but throughout his managerial career.
"He is a great example to all aspiring managers having built the foundations in non-league football to then go on to successfully manage at the highest level in the game."
Jonathan Fear, editor of the Villa fans' website Vital Villa, said: "I'm not altogether surprised that Martin has left but I am shocked at the timing. The timing will make it really difficult for the board to get the type of manager we need quickly.
"I thought it had run its course and maybe the end of last season was the time to go. Maybe this could be a good thing for both parties because frustration seemed to be growing.
"But the timing does seem crazy just before the start of the season. I believe the board have got to go for a 'name' to show the ambition is still there.''
transfer 問題係導火線?
邊個會接任?!
A.Young 去SPURS?
仲保唔保得住前6/7?
磁魂兄點睇? 原帖由 michaelgiggs 於 2010-8-1007:10 AM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif
Martin O'Neill quits as manager of Aston Villa
Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of Aston Villa just five days before the start of the Premier League season.
There had been speculation over his ...
我想知邊個會係新MANAGER "Thuram thinks he's Malcolm X"
Patrice Evra strongly criticises Lilian Thuram in Le Figaro after he called for Evra to be banned from playing for France.
"I called him to ask for an explanation. He didn't respond. I then left him a strong message and he sent one back pretending he didn't understand. He is free to say what he wants, but he should have tried to have a chat with me first. In an interview later on he repeated his remarks and said that he had tried to call me and that I had not replied. This is false.
"He sullied my name without knowing what happened. Lilian thinks he's the new coach, president of the FFF and president of France.
"He said that Les Blues are contributing to increasing racism. It is time that Lilian stops playing a role that isn't his to play. Walking around with books on slavery in glasses and a hat does not turn you into Malcolm X."
:icon101: 原帖由 Gianni Rivera 於 2010-8-1210:58 AM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif
"Thuram thinks he's Malcolm X"
Patrice Evra strongly criticises Lilian Thuram in Le Figaro after he called for Evra to be banned from playing for France.
"I called him to ask for an explanation. He...
毫無紀律
英超第一周賽程表
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/fixtures?league=eng.1&cc=4716 原帖由 Gianni Rivera 於 2010-8-1210:58 AM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif"Thuram thinks he's Malcolm X"
Patrice Evra strongly criticises Lilian Thuram in Le Figaro after he called for Evra to be banned from playing for France.
"I called him to ask for an explanation. He...
即係話杜林會好似 Malcolm X咁俾人 :( 宜家有傳前雷丁領隊郭普會教維拉?:( 傳出楊格唔會走了:icon069:
希望賣走米拿真係換到艾利蘭返黎....
領隊方面...如果真係英人就古比士利啦...
外國人就試下巴特利/比歷..唔該:icon069: 原帖由 磁魂 於 2010-8-1211:45 PM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif
傳出楊格唔會走了:icon069:
希望賣走米拿真係換到艾利蘭返黎....
領隊方面...如果真係英人就古比士利啦...
外國人就試下巴特利/比歷..唔該:icon069:
巴特利係乜人? 原帖由 Lingling316 於 2010-8-1309:49 AM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif
巴特利係乜人?
美國國家隊領隊:) 巴特利已經辭去美國國家隊職務
有傳已經飛緊去英國?! 原帖由 磁魂 於 2010-8-1312:47 PM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif
美國國家隊領隊:)
教波好勁? 但未教過英超, 睇報紙話係艾歷臣 原帖由 磁魂 於 2010-8-1210:58 PM 發表 http://www.hkcmforum.com/images/common/back.gif
宜家有傳前雷丁領隊郭普會教維拉?:(
O岩O岩向布城辭職了...=___=
2010年8月12日主教練史提夫·郭甫在新球季展開僅一週後，以對職務缺乏熱誠而宣佈辭職，更會退出足球管理行列 原帖由 磁魂 於 2010-8-1211:45 PM 發表 http://hkcm.hkehost.net/images/common/back.gif
傳出楊格唔會走了:icon069:
希望賣走米拿真係換到艾利蘭返黎....
領隊方面...如果真係英人就古比士利啦...
外國人就試下巴特利/比歷..唔該:icon069:
有傳係大力神