Following a run of six straight defeats, Tim Sherwood has been relieved of his management duties at Aston Villa.
The statement said: “Aston Villa Football Club has parted company with manager Tim Sherwood today. The board has monitored the performances closely all season and believes the results on the pitch were simply not good enough and that a change is imperative.
“However, the club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tim for all his efforts during a difficult period last season and for the many positive contributions he has made to the entire football setup during his time with the club. We wish him well in the future.”
The former Spurs and Blackburn player cut a forlorn figure in recent weeks, despite his cheeky chappy attitude at the beginning of term, it was clear to see the stresses of Premier League management seemed have beaten the man to an absolute pulp.
Saturday’s defeat to Swansea has left the Villains just two points above the relegation zone. With just a point from their last nine matches, it seems the writing was on the wall for poor Timmy. Whilst a lack of squad experience seemed a decent excuse for the clubs tribulations, fact is the Villa team that faced Swansea at the weekend was littered with Premier League experience.
Sherwood will no doubt rue the sale of Christian Benteke to Liverpool, leaving a clubs that’s struggled in front of goal for seasons on end without a true talisman. The fact that the usually simplified tactics made way for Brendan Rodgers styled tinkering, told its own story in terms of his personal battle in getting the best out of the players.
Incidentally the former Reds manager is now in the frame as his replacement.