Villa chief hits out at ‘unwilling’ O’Neill
Director Krulak is adamant that O’Neill received full financial backing from Lerner during his four-year spell at Villa.
But he claimed the former Celtic boss was “unwilling” to come to terms with helping Villa to become more stable financially.
Krulak said: “There is absolutely no question that Martin did a good job for Villa and I have said that over and over. At the same time, I can promise everyone that he knew and understood the long-range plans for the club and bought into them.
“He knew full well about the need to bring wages in line with revenue – the same as every Premiership club.
“He was absolutely supported by the owner during his time with the club. All one needs to do is look at the money spent.
“The reality is that the wage-to-revenue issue was not addressed and Martin apparently was unwilling to help address it. He quit. No one person is bigger than our club – not me, not Randy, not Paul Faulkner (chief executive), not Martin.
“What is interesting is that, apparently, only three of those named understand that fact.”
Krulak insists Lerner will not be rushed into finding a replacement for O’Neill. But he pledged that Lerner will be making public his thoughts on events during the last 48 hours and the future.
He said: “What I will say is that we recognise this is an important decision and one that needs to be done rather quickly but, equally important, in a manner that gets the right man.
“I agree that the club needs to come out with a statement – and they will. Likewise, Randy will have something to say.”
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 hotseat while 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.
Chief executive Faulkner met with the club’s players not on international duty at Bodymoor Heath yesterday.
He explained the events of the last 24 hours and the immediate plans for the future.
But midfielder James Milner – a key figure in O’Neill’s decision to step down – was not present as he is part of the England squad preparing for tonight’s game with Hungary at Wembley.
It was a failure to gain assurances from Lerner that all the money from Milner’s expected move to Manchester City would be ploughed into new signings which led to O’Neill saying enough is enough.
Milner’s move to Eastlands moved a step closer yesterday amid reports yesterday that Stephen Ireland is in talks with Villa.
City are closing in on the signing of long-term target Milner and they are believed to be ready to offer Ireland in part-exchange for Milner.
Ireland’s future at City has been the subject of speculation for some time with the 23-year-old struggling to hold down a place in Roberto Mancini’s side last season.
The arrivals of David Silva and Yaya Toure have pushed Ireland further down the pecking order at Eastlands and the introduction of 25-man squads in the Premier League appears to have made the midfielder surplus to requirements.
Ireland is believed to have held talks with Villa officials yesterday as he weighs up a move to the Midlands.
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