Premier League - No contract talks for O'Neill

Eurosport - Wed, 18 Mar 20:54:00 2009

Martin O'Neill has had no talks with Aston Villa owner and chairman Randy Lerner about a new contract.

FOOTBALL Martin O'Neill Aston Villa manager - 0

O'Neill has made Villa strong contenders for a Champions League spot after just two and a half years in charge of the midlands club but has played down reports he is in talks with the club's American owner over a new deal.

But the former Celtic boss is apparently content enough with his current arrangement of having a 12-month rolling contract.

He said: "I've not spoken to Randy in two-and-a-half years about a contract, nor have I had the need to do so.

"I don't know where the story came from. There's definitely nothing in it.

"I've never discussed a contract since the day I arrived and signed."

O'Neill is also in the dark over reports that the FA regard him as a major contender to eventually succeed Fabio Capello as England coach.

He said: "I don't know anything about the report. I can't prevent anything being written - other than something libellous."

Meanwhile, O'Neill feels the return of left-back Wilfred Bouma after an eight month injury lay-off will be like having "a new signing" at his disposal.

Bouma is close to earning a first-team recall after dislocating his ankle in an Intertoto Cup clash with Odense in July.

He made his comeback in the recent reserve game with Chelsea although he did not play in last night's second string clash with West Ham.

O'Neill said: "Wilfred is chomping at the bit. He is ready to go. That reserve game (against Chelsea) has helped him but he still has a bit of work to do physically.

"We worked him in one versus one, two versus two and three versus three situations in the recent training camp in Dubai and he is raring to go again.

"Wilfred has been out all season after having a fantastic 2007-08 campaign. It's now up to him to recapture that.

"It won't happen overnight because he still has some work to do. But again, when he does return, it will genuinely feel like a new signing."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. Hi Monty, more funny when the genuine football comments­ gets invalid comment

    From c41ng0ku, on Thu 19 Mar 6:44AM

  2. villa should offer him a contract and they should do it­ soon. Before o'neal arrival villa has been @#$% for­ a few year. Now they are showing potential and start­ competing with the big 4 for cl places. So fa the only­ mistake from O'neal (kind of a big one) was the­ wrong attitude towards the uefa cup.

    From alexmn85, on Thu 19 Mar 6:13AM

  3. what's the point to finish 5th and 6th then send­ the B team to play for the UEFA cup?

    From Zak33uk, on Thu 19 Mar 5:08AM

  4. Apart from comment 13, all nonsense on here! The fact­ is, Martin O'Neill has taken Villa as far as he can­ take them, full stop. And before Everton fans start­ crowing, exactly the same applies to David Moyes.­ Everton will never, ever, finish in the top 4 again as­ long as United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool exist.­ And United have got a lot more nous than to go for­ David Moyes OR Martin O'Neill. Trust me, Uniteds­ next manager will be foriegn and with vast experience­ in european football!

    From stephenjones272, on Wed 18 Mar 9:03PM

  5. Peter S, I totally agree. From performance perspective,­ he is more efficient than any other coach in the PL.­ Questions remain if he is able to do better if/when he­ gets more money and bigger goals.

    From Half A Brain, on Wed 18 Mar 8:18PM

  6. Best manager in PL is David Moyes, by far, no monies to­ spend, no strikers, in 6th place, semi's of the FA­ Cup, Top 6 side for the last 5 years, even WBA have­ spent my monies, Sir Alex's next replacement, he­ tried to get him once has his right hand man.
    Mark my­ word.

    From Peter S, on Wed 18 Mar 7:22PM

  7. To comment 9 (joebourke2001)
    You couldn't afford my­ mum..she charges over £1.50 an hour.

    From Troika, on Wed 18 Mar 6:35PM

  8. To Comment 14.(wee gordy bhoy).
    Celtic are­ rubbish....that's why MON left the SPL Micky Mouse­ league!
    Ok...he can become your Newcastle manager...and­ you can be relegated together.
    Now FEK OFF back down­ your coal mine, and eat your little fishy on your­ little dishy!
    SUNDERLAND..The best team in the North­ East!!!!!

    From Troika, on Wed 18 Mar 6:32PM

  9. Yes Trioka aka dooshbag ! You much be a fake Villa fan­ then if you don't realise what he's done at­ every club he has managed ! He's too good for­ Scotland and proved so by taking Celtic to the UEFA­ final in style ! He's too good for Aston Villa­ never mind Celtic fs ! look what hes done for your team­ ! Where were you 3 years ago ? nowhere .. my point­ exactly ! He is amongst the top managers in Britain and­ his record proves so ! So don't talk garbage !

    From wee gordy bhoy, on Wed 18 Mar 6:14PM

  10. as a villa fan i hope he dont go anywhere, although it­ is worrying he hasn't commited himself to villa.­ best manager weve had since ron saunders, and in a year­ or 2 could make villa real contenders again. we have­ over acheived this season so lets not get carried away,­ if we finish 5th or 6th weve still had a good­ season............sign up mon and finish what­ you've started

    From ja_robo, on Wed 18 Mar 4:41PM

  11. An Oirishman in charge of the England XI pub team­ sounds like Ealing Kommedy to me :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Wed 18 Mar 4:30PM

  12. joebourke2001 In actual fact he is Northern Irish and­ has played numerous times for his country and as a­ liverpool supporter i would love to have him at Anfield­ and totally agree with you his motivational skills and­ man management are first rate.

    From glenn, on Wed 18 Mar 4:29PM

  13. Brrrrrrrrrrrrap!

    From brap999, on Wed 18 Mar 3:13PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    As an Aston Villa fan....here's some advice for­ Martin O'Neil....
    FEK OFF BACK TO SCOTLAND....you­ ain't good enough for the Premiere League, and take­ your miserable, boring personality with you.

    From Troika, on Wed 18 Mar 3:02PM

  15. Phikasteel, I don't believe any paper so why should­ we believe what the currant bun has to say about­ MO's future lol?

    From Colonel K, on Wed 18 Mar 2:56PM

  16. Martin O`niell would be a great replacement for A F,­ but is the old man going to stop? you`ll have to carry­ the wily Scot out of Old Trafford.

    From john, on Wed 18 Mar 2:30PM

  17. Why adverts for a free Playstation should be allowed is­ beyond me. Doesn't anyone check the content of­ these messages or do we have to complain every time to­ get them removed. However, as a future England manager­ I think Martin O'Neil should have been the present­ manager. Let us hope he takes over when the present­ incumbent goes.

    From Monty, on Wed 18 Mar 2:11PM

  18. According to the sun, he's going to England!!

    From phil_kasteel, on Wed 18 Mar 2:03PM

  19. He's off to Mna Utd as soonas Sir Alex retires

    From Nick B, on Wed 18 Mar 1:13PM
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