Five days before the Premier League season begins and we have our first managerial casualty.
Martin O'Neill resigned as Aston Villa manager today after a meeting with Chairman Randy Lerner.
The 58-year-old Northern Irishman announced his decision in a joint statement with chief executive Paul Faulkner on the club website (www.avfc.co.uk).
"I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club," O'Neill said.
"I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager."
Reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald will take caretaker charge for the club's opening game of the season at home to West Ham United on Saturday.
So now the rumours can begin, who will take the job on.
After being linked with the Fulham job it is obvious US coach Bob Bradley is looking to get in the Premier League and is currently the favourite for the job at 7/2. Alan Curbishley who is linked with every job going comes in next at odds of 6/1 while ex England manager Sven Goran Eriksson, currently out of work after a short stint as Ivory Coast is next at 13/2.
Also in line for the job according to the bookies are Martin Jol, who is my tip for the job and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic.
What next for O'Neill? Will he want to take time out or will he be looking to get straight back into Football. I wonder what Neil Lennon is thinking at the moment. If Celtic have a poor start to the season could the board look into O'Neill taking over with Lennon as his assistant. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST
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