Alex McLeish sacked as Aston Villa manager

[Saj]

Aston Villa have sacked manager Alex McLeish after 11 months in charge.

The 53-year-old former Scotland manager said his farewells to the club's staff on Monday morning.

Villa have endured a poor Premier League campaign, finishing just above the relegation zone after winning only four of 19 games at home.

McLeish was an unpopular appointment as he arrived from Birmingham City last year but poor results and performances worsened his relationship with fans.

"If he had won just five of 17 drawn games in the Premier League, the club would have finished in about 10th place and he would have had more time to prove himself.

"He ought to have banked more points in the first half of the season, when the squad was at full strength, before injuries and illness dogged him in the last three months.

"But losing 22 points from winning positions, coupled with a 9% drop in home attendance and the prospect of poor season ticket sales prompted owner Randy Lerner to don his ruthless businessman's hat and sack the manager he appointed just 11 months ago."

A club statement read: "Aston Villa can confirm that Alex McLeish's contract has been terminated with immediate effect. The club has been disappointed with this season's results, performances and the general message these have sent to our fans.

"The board wishes to assure supporters that we are conscious in every sense that Villa expects and deserves more and we will strive to deliver this."

Villa chairman Randy Lerner said: "We need to be clear and candid with ourselves and with supporters about what we have lacked in recent years.

"Compelling play and results that instil a sense of confidence that Villa is on the right track have been plainly absent.

"The most immediate action that we can take is to look carefully at our options in terms of bringing in a new manager who sees the club's potential and embraces our collective expectations."

The early bookmakers' favourite for the job is Norwich manager Paul Lambert, but earlier in the day Canaries chief executive David McNally said he would "fight" to keep the Scot at Carrow Road.

McLeish over from Gerard Houllier in June 2011 but Villa won only seven league matches all season, effectively securing their Premier League status with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham in the penultimate game.

Alex McLeish's Villa record
•Appointed: 17 June 2011
•Games managed in all competitions: 42
•Games won: Nine
•Games drawn: 17
•Games lost: 16
•FA Cup progress: Beaten 3-2 by Arsenal in the fourth round
•Carling Cup progress: Beaten 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers in the third round

McLeish had stints with Motherwell and Hibernian before taking over at Rangers in December 2001. He went on to win two SPL titles in 2003 and 2005.

His spell at Ibrox ended in 2006 and after a brief spell as Scotland manager he joined Birmingham in November 2007.

McLeish could not avoid relegation in his first season but brought them straight back to the Premier League in 2009.

Despite guiding Blues to the Carling Cup in February 2011 a dreadful league run saw them relegated once again three months later.

Last week he told BBC Sport that he expected to be in charge of Villa next season and on Sunday said he planned to overhaul the squad this summer .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18056282

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

Never did like him.

[James]

He was an awful appointment for so many reasons. The right decision.

[DeadlyVenom]

Top bloke and a top manager but wasn't right for the job.

[Markhor]

Shocking record at Villa, really underachieved this season considering their squad isn't that bad.

Gus Poyet would be a decent appointment, he's the name being linked to the job.

[Geordie Ahmed]

He should never have been appointed in the first place, even if we ignore that he came from their city rivals you can't ignore the terrible job he did

I still don't understand why they appointed him, baffling

The correct decision to sack him, they need to get their next appointment spot on, though they will probably end up giving it to Steve Bruce

A risky BUT potentially great choice is Lee Clark

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by DeadlyVenom Top bloke and a top manager but wasn't right for the job.

A top manager in Scotland BUT certainly not here

[Amir]

I was going to create a thread a few weeks ago asking the big deal about him and why he is so highly rated. Relegated Brum twice and then got a top job at a team that has been in the top half for over 5 years. And now almost relegates them. Clearly not a PL quality manager.

[DeadlyVenom]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed A top manager in Scotland BUT certainly not here

Yeah you are quite right, looking into his career in a bit more detail he has really only had success with Rangers where you were pretty much guaranteed at least one trophy per season

[James]

IMO he might have been given longer but for that last match at Norwich. The Villa players had clearly decided that they were not going to make the effort for McLeish's sake any longer. Lose the dressing room and you lose your job. And it's hard to see where Alex will get another.

[DeadlyVenom]

English clubs seem to love scottish managers. He will be back in a job soon.

[Amjid Javed]

Very poor choice in 1st place and all villa fans are glad hes gone.

[Asif khan]

I agree, it was a very poor choice from day one. i can't understand why he was ever chosen.

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

Wish they go for AVB

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

- http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/spo...o_lead_Villa/?

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

OGS is in talks with Villa, I really hope he goes there and does well.

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

Solskjaer turns down Aston Villa.

[Pakistaniboy]

Originally Posted by Chicharito14Hernandez Solskjaer turns down Aston Villa.

No, He said that he was in talks with them and will accept if any offer is made. The media in UK has mis quoted the media here in Norway, He never rejected anything..

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

He is going to have CL football with Molde, I'd stay if I were him.

[SempreSami]

McLeish and Villa was a match made in heaven imo. Villa supporters are the biggest masochists outside of the likes of City and Liverpool and having the ex-Birmingham manager in charge gave them more fuel to moan and whinge about their now cheapskate owner.

[Pakistaniboy]

Originally Posted by Chicharito14Hernandez He is going to have CL football with Molde, I'd stay if I were him.

They must go through the Qualification rounds first and im sure he`ll come to Aston Villa..

[James]

Originally Posted by SempreSami McLeish and Villa was a match made in heaven imo. Villa supporters are the biggest masochists outside of the likes of City and Liverpool and having the ex-Birmingham manager in charge gave them more fuel to moan and whinge about their now cheapskate owner.

Not too far off the mark.