[size=“6”]Villa stunner! Diego Maradona eyeing up shock move to take over from Martin O’Neill as next Aston Villa manager[/size]
Argentina legend Diego Maradona is lining-up a sensational move to become Aston Villa’s next manager.
Martin O’Neill’ shock resignation last week, just five days before the start of the season, has left the Midlands club managerless.
Caretaker manager Kevin McDonald lead Villa to a 3-0 home win against West Ham on Saturday, while ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and USA boss Bob Bradley have both been linked with the vacant post.
But Maradona – who left his role as Argentina manager after the South Americans were dumped out of the World Cup by Germany – has thrown his hat into the ring.
His agent, Walter Soriano, said: 'I think Diego would be very open to the idea of coming to England and managing Aston Villa.
'He is very attracted to English football and the way of life in your country and I know he would be very willing to move there.
‘He loves the English countryside and your respect for privacy, so he would be very happy there, especially at a big club like Aston Villa.’
Soriano added: 'If the owner Randy Lerner wants to make him a serious offer, I am sure he would get a very positive response.
‘Diego is currently talking with a number of clubs in Europe – including another one in England – about a management role and is looking at his options carefully.’
The Wales striker, who City boss Roberto Mancini has already confirmed is not to be one of his 25-man Premier League panel, has now been black-listed by the Italian as he looks to stamp his authority on the Eastlands club.
Several clubs from various leagues, such as Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Celtic and Cardiff City have all been linked with a move for the player and he was reportedly told over the weekend that he will not be welcome at City’s practice ground for Monday training and has been told to stay away until a deal is reached to find him a new club
The Guardian reports that City have taken this latest action after several clashes between Bellamy and Mancini, who the Welshman has repeatedly accused of ignoring him. The Italian has denied this and Bellamy has now been deemed so ‘disruptive’ that he is no longer welcome on the training ground.
Cardiff strongly expressed their interest in bringing the former Liverpool and West Ham United man to his hometown club on Sunday, though that would mean dropping to the Npower Championship. Spurs, with Champions League football, remain a more attractive option to the player, with Harry Redknapp’s side wanting a £2 million deal, though City are very reluctant to sell to one of their main rivals for position in the Premier League.
Decent start to the season for United. A few lapses in concentration on the ball, especially in the first ten minutes and the five minutes after the first goal. Carroll probably should have put Newcastle behind with a header from a lovely Joey Barton (who is sporting a fine pikey tache) corner, but United’s passing and movement have been superb. Most encouragingly, Berbatov looks sharp and took his goal well.
Newcastle need reinforcements fast or they will be heading straight back down to the championship. Once United got going they ripped them to pieces. I feel sorry for Hughton, hes being asked to do an impossible job, akin to Mick McCarthy at Sunderland a few years ago.
All a bit too easy in the end. Scholes ended up running the show. Can’t see him doing it in a big game against quality opposition anymore, but great to watch nonetheless. Nani looked lively too.
Reports that Defoe could be out for up to 7 months with a groin strain. City have a bit of a crisis at left back with Kolarov out for 6 weeks. Bridge also injured. Poor City, they’ll just have to play the German left back there now.
