Lambert gone

[Boz]

Really good couple of articles in the Telegraph, particularly this one:-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/11407403/Aston-Villas-Paul-Lambert-sacked-to-protect-TV-millions.html

even reading that if it's true about January window, I do still have some sympathy for the lone job Lambert has had to do for most of his time here and there were times it looked like it might work, but no-one can escape the fact that this season he has had the best squad he's had since he's been here, and despite a good start results-wise, the football and results are dreadful.  I do think he will regroup at a lower club and come back quite strongly from this.  Hell, in a few years we might be on here saying we should have stuck with him etc., after he has had successs.  But it had gone too far and  was never going to be fixed, at least Lerner has seen that.  I wish him no ills though and am sad it didn't work out.

I think the Telegraph must have used this Forum for its information as most of the article cotent has been on here in many posts and some of the comments were pretty obvious. There was not much included that could be called new.

I posted weeks ago that if the club got into the bottom three, Lerner/Fox would act and with the new money just announced for the Premiership, it didn't need a genius to see the result as far as Lambert's future was concerned.

Big questions are who next and is it already too late to recover?

[Jimbo]

Pat Murphy on 5Live just now. First he says Lambert should get credit for keeping Villa in the PL under the circumstances. Then, when asked if Villa can stay up, he says, absolutely yes - if they had gone down over the last two or three years then they would have been one of the better squads to do so. They should be doing much better.

So, which is the under-performing element, Pat, the manager or the squad? Or are you now trying to be best mates with Paul, again?

[wozwebs]

News Now have this link:

Lma Statement On Behalf Of Paul Lambert League Managers Association - Official Site 09:05

but doesn't work, presume incoming in a minute or two?

[VILLA MOLE]

Pat Murphy on 5Live just now. First he says Lambert should get credit for keeping Villa in the PL under the circumstances. Then, when asked if Villa can stay up, he says, absolutely yes - if they had gone down over the last two or three years then they would have been one of the better squads to do so. They should be doing much better.

So, which is the under-performing element, Pat, the manager or the squad? Or are you now trying to be best mates with Paul, again?

I think Lambert said this seasons squad is the best has had, maybe Murphy was alluding to this and in previous years Lambert had done well to keep us up with previous squads ? 

[Jimbo]

Pat Murphy on 5Live just now. First he says Lambert should get credit for keeping Villa in the PL under the circumstances. Then, when asked if Villa can stay up, he says, absolutely yes - if they had gone down over the last two or three years then they would have been one of the better squads to do so. They should be doing much better.

So, which is the under-performing element, Pat, the manager or the squad? Or are you now trying to be best mates with Paul, again?

I think Lambert said this seasons squad is the best has had, maybe Murphy was alluding to this and in previous years Lambert had done well to keep us up with previous squads ? 

If he was alluding to that, he shouldn't have mentioned the last two or three years in that context. Sounds like he's trying to get all chummy again, or perhaps he now feels a bit guilty for being pretty much the only journalist out there prepared to grill Lambert? Perhaps he feels sorry for him? Either way, he shouldn't let personal agendas get in the way of objective journalism.

[UK Redsox]

This seems such a long time ago now.................

The Grauniad, Sep 2014

Paul Lambert has extended his contract as the Aston Villa manager until June 2018.

Lambert has had two difficult seasons since he joined from Norwich in the summer of 2012, with Villa finishing 15th in both Premier League campaigns. But this season his side have made an excellent start, winning three and drawing one of their four Premier League games. A 1-0 win at Liverpool on Saturday took them into second place behind Chelsea.

“I’m delighted to have the support of our chairman, Randy Lerner, and Tom Fox, our new chief exec, and I’m determined that we continue building the club to where we all want it to be,” Lambert said.

“I knew the first two years would be tough but we’ve made progress and now we’re beginning to see the benefits of all of that hard work. We’re in a much healthier position on and off the pitch and, with a continued sensible approach, we believe we’re on the right road to build on the strong start. The bar had to be raised, everyone has stepped up and there will be continued improvement.”

[Chico Hamilton III]

This seems such a long time ago now.................

The Grauniad, Sep 2014

Paul Lambert has extended his contract as the Aston Villa manager until June 2018.

Lambert has had two difficult seasons since he joined from Norwich in the summer of 2012, with Villa finishing 15th in both Premier League campaigns. But this season his side have made an excellent start, winning three and drawing one of their four Premier League games. A 1-0 win at Liverpool on Saturday took them into second place behind Chelsea.

“I’m delighted to have the support of our chairman, Randy Lerner, and Tom Fox, our new chief exec, and I’m determined that we continue building the club to where we all want it to be,” Lambert said.

“I knew the first two years would be tough but we’ve made progress and now we’re beginning to see the benefits of all of that hard work. We’re in a much healthier position on and off the pitch and, with a continued sensible approach, we believe we’re on the right road to build on the strong start. The bar had to be raised, everyone has stepped up and there will be continued improvement.”

It does. And the 10 points we got from those first 4 games represent almost half of our season's total so far. I still find it hard to take in some of our stats from this season

[DeKuip]

News Now have this link:

Lma Statement On Behalf Of Paul Lambert League Managers Association - Official Site 09:05

but doesn't work, presume incoming in a minute or two?

LMA STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF PAUL LAMBERT
 
I am extremely proud to have managed Aston Villa, a founder member of the Football League, and this sentiment will always remain with me.
My initial remit was to conduct a massive overhaul of the playing squad, lower the overall wage structure of the playing staff and achieve this whilst keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League.

There was also a concerted effort to purchase and develop younger players who would provide a solid footing for the football club to move forward and enhance the value of the playing squad in the future.

When I came on board the club's owner, Randy Lerner, warned me that I was embarking on the toughest challenge of my working life and he was not wrong.

But  I have never stepped away from hard work and I put my heart and soul into the job from my first day until my last.

There are many people throughout my time at Aston Villa to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude.

Firstly, I'd like to thank Randy Lerner for not only providing me with the opportunity to manage one of the most illustrious clubs in world football but also for the support and friendship he offered me throughout my time at the club.

I'd also like to place on record my appreciation to Paul Faulkner who conducted affairs at the club with unstinting integrity and constant dignity during his tenure as Chief Executive.

I leave behind some wonderful people at both Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park and express my gratitude for their dedication and loyalty. A special mention must also go to my coaching staff for their commitment.

To the players, my sincere thanks to each and every one of them. They are a fantastic group of players and I wish them every success for the rest of their playing careers. I hope to see many of them achieve great things in the game.

Finally, I pay tribute to the supporters who are among the most passionate I have ever encountered. They rightly hold huge expectations for their beloved football club and I sincerely hope they are rewarded with the success they deserve.

I completely understand their frustrations and always shared their view that the football club is too big not to be competing at the top end of the table. I hope that can happen.

You never stop learning in football management and I certainly believe the invaluable experience from my time as Villa manager will prove hugely beneficial in the next stage of my managerial career.

[Jimbo]

News Now have this link:

Lma Statement On Behalf Of Paul Lambert League Managers Association - Official Site 09:05

but doesn't work, presume incoming in a minute or two?

LMA STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF PAUL LAMBERT
 
I am extremely proud to have managed Aston Villa, a founder member of the Football League, and this sentiment will always remain with me.
My initial remit was to conduct a massive overhaul of the playing squad, lower the overall wage structure of the playing staff and achieve this whilst keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League.

There was also a concerted effort to purchase and develop younger players who would provide a solid footing for the football club to move forward and enhance the value of the playing squad in the future.

When I came on board the club's owner, Randy Lerner, warned me that I was embarking on the toughest challenge of my working life and he was not wrong.

But  I have never stepped away from hard work and I put my heart and soul into the job from my first day until my last.

There are many people throughout my time at Aston Villa to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude.

Firstly, I'd like to thank Randy Lerner for not only providing me with the opportunity to manage one of the most illustrious clubs in world football but also for the support and friendship he offered me throughout my time at the club.

I'd also like to place on record my appreciation to Paul Faulkner who conducted affairs at the club with unstinting integrity and constant dignity during his tenure as Chief Executive.

I leave behind some wonderful people at both Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park and express my gratitude for their dedication and loyalty. A special mention must also go to my coaching staff for their commitment.

To the players, my sincere thanks to each and every one of them. They are a fantastic group of players and I wish them every success for the rest of their playing careers. I hope to see many of them achieve great things in the game.

Finally, I pay tribute to the supporters who are among the most passionate I have ever encountered. They rightly hold huge expectations for their beloved football club and I sincerely hope they are rewarded with the success they deserve.

I completely understand their frustrations and always shared their view that the football club is too big not to be competing at the top end of the table. I hope that can happen.

You never stop learning in football management and I certainly believe the invaluable experience from my time as Villa manager will prove hugely beneficial in the next stage of my managerial career.

Sadly, his most coherent and meaningful communication in two and a half years of management. Good luck, Paul.

[RussellC]

I can't bring myself to dislike him, regardless of how he's done. Thanks for trying and caring Paul, and good luck for the rest of your career.

[Smoke]

Doesn't seem too cut up about it!

I think there's more to come from lambo as a manager.

[Richard E]

Interesting to note that he thanks Paul Faulkner but does not mention Tom Fox!

[Neil Hawkes]

I applaud that statement and wish him good luck in his future endeavors

[curiousorange]

A dignified line drawn under it all. Now upwards, please.

[nigel]

I can't bring myself to dislike him, regardless of how he's done. Thanks for trying and caring Paul, and good luck for the rest of your career.

Agree, He came and tried, but, unfortunately, it didn't work out.
I hope he finds a job soon.
I actually think he'll be stronger for this experience.

I do feel that the 'Young and Hungry' philosophy could have worked, if he'd been able to pick from the top of the tree, rather than the lower branches. Lerner has to take some of the blame for this.