Goodbye Paul Faulkner.

[villan1975]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10955310/.html

Yikes.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Villa in crisis!

[PaulWinch again]

I tell you what £15 million including wages would be laughable against the back drop of Fulham spending £11 million on a striker after being relegated. Now they shouldn't have done that, especially on him but it would show how stuffed we are if that figure is true. I don't know if it is, but it's not inconceivable.

[Clampy]

It was £10m a few weeks ago, now it's £15m. In other words, they're just guessing.

[PaulWinch again]

Quite possibly, but it's not unbelievable that that's the case.

[pauliewalnuts]

It was £10m a few weeks ago, now it's £15m. In other words, they're just guessing.

The worrying thing is it is totally believable, and borne out by the bargain basement signings we've made so far.

We don't even try to pretend to be ambitious any more.

[silhillvilla]

It was £10m a few weeks ago, now it's £15m. In other words, they're just guessing.

If it keeps going up £5m a week , happy days.

[manic-road]

The most worrying thing is that it doesn't look like we will be sold any time soon.

[silhillvilla]

The most worrying thing is that it doesn't look like we will be sold any time soon.

When was it ever going to be a quick sale ? Everton have been for sale for 10 years

[john2710]

So we're in a crisis / left rudderless by Faulkner's departure. From what's been said, it appears he was offered another role in Lerner's empire but refused. That means the club have effectively dismissed him, not that he's walked out & left us leaderless. I would assume that;
a) Lerner has finally realised that you need experience to be a CEO
B) He has a replacement lined up

[adrenachrome]

ToryGraph

Aston Villa in turmoil as Randy Lerner flies in to assure manager Paul Lambert following shock departure

American owner makes transatlantic dash to help Lambert formulate transfer policy in wake of unexpected exit of chief executive Paul Faulkner

By John Percy 10:00PM BST 08 Jul 2014

 Randy Lerner has flown in from the United States to thrash out Aston Villa’s strategy for the summer, after the surprise exit of Paul Faulkner, the chief executive.

Lerner met Paul Lambert, the Villa manager, at the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Tuesday in a bid to ease the sense of turmoil following another difficult 24 hours.

The Villa owner assured Lambert that it would be business as usual, despite the departure of Faulkner effectively leaving the club rudderless at a time when it is up for sale.

Lerner is also believed to have reassessed this summer's transfer budget and may provide further money to strengthen the squad, though it is unlikely to be more than £15 million on fees and wages.

Lambert has signed only Joe Cole and Phillipe Senderos on free transfers and is determined to bring in more quality as he bids to avoid another season of struggle.

 He also wants the contract situations of the Holland international Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Gabriel Agbonlahor sorted swiftly to avoid the prospect of bids from rival clubs.

However, the loss of Lambert's close ally Faulkner will do little to clear the overriding feeling of confusion over the club's future, with Lerner also meeting with players and staff to plead for calm.

While Lambert attempts to bring in new players, Telegraph Sport understands that a takeover is not remotely close and Lerner has been growing increasingly disillusioned at the lack of interest.

American billionaires Josh Harris and David Blitzer had held tentative discussions earlier this year over a potential takeover but have since disappeared.

Keith Harris, the respected investment banker, is assisting Lerner with the sale and is understood to be flying out to the States in a fortnight to try and generate more interest.

Lerner will listen to offers of around £200 million but is almost certain to remain as owner when the new season starts. He could now take on a more hands-on role as a result of Faulkner's exit.

Faulkner will remain as chief executive until he agrees a severance package but is likely to officially leave later this month.

Villa's statement insisted Faulkner will part on good terms but sources suggest his relationship with Lerner had become strained in recent weeks over some decisions made over the club's direction.

 "Having discussed his re-engaging with the chairman's broader business while remaining involved with Villa in a non-operational role, agreement could not be reached," the statement said.

"On the strength of many productive years together, and a longstanding friendship, Paul has parted on good terms. He has offered his support to the Villa organisation to ensure a smooth transition."

Lerner added: "Paul has been fantastic in his role at Villa and more broadly as a colleague over the years. I offer him my deepest thanks."

[pauliewalnuts]

So we're in a crisis / left rudderless by Faulkner's departure. From what's been said, it appears he was offered another role in Lerner's empire but refused. That means the club have effectively dismissed him, not that he's walked out & left us leaderless. I would assume that;
a) Lerner has finally realised that you need experience to be a CEO
B) He has a replacement lined up

I've read a few people saying similar today, but they seem to be ignoring the fact that nobody with a brain is going to come here and be our CEO in the current circumstances. The owner is trying to sell but failing. Anyone taking the job will know it is temporary. It will be Robin Russell filling in till the club is sold.

This is the last thing we need, even more uncertainty, it is an absolute shambles from top to bottom

[cdbearsfan]

The only certainty is uncertainty.

[silhillvilla]

I don't think Faulkner going makes one iota of difference to what happens on the pitch. Chill people.

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't think Faulkner going makes one iota of difference to what happens on the pitch. Chill people.

Yeah because what happens off the pitch doesn't matter.