Martin O’Neill Reported To Be Making Management Comeback In Saudi Arabia

Should I stay or should I go?  Image - Wikimedia

By Matt Scott
Martin O’Neill is reportedly about to sign a, tax-free, £4.5 million two-year contract at Saudi club, Al Hilal.

Sven Goran Eriksson was reported to be their original target, but after he opted to join Leicester City, who the former Aston Villa manager was also linked with, O’Neill became their new preferred choice.

Al Hilal representatives have revealed that, ‘a contract is almost signed and a announcement will be imminent’. The appointment of O’Neill would be another step in the right direction as, ‘the club are committed to being the biggest in the region’. O’Neill has been told that he can bring his own staff across to help him work with the likes of Lee Young-Pyo, who previously played in the Premier League for Tottenham, and Brazilian international Thiago Neves.

Many would be forgiven for thinking that O’Neill, who worked wonders at Villa Park, would bide his time in England. He has been repeatedly linked as a potential replacement for, the under pressure, Roy Hodgson at Liverpool. O’Neill was also linked with the Middlesborough job before Tony Mowbray was announced as the manager today.

Rather surprisingly, this would be the O’Neill’s first managerial post abroad but the challenge and lucrative pay packet offered could prove enough to lure O’Neill to Saudi Arabia.

Martin O'Neill resigns

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager, O'Neill's patience have finally run out after being told that he will now have access to funds that will be received from the sale of James Milner to Manchester City which is due to be completed this week. O'Neill had been at the helm for four years with Villa, steadly building up his team each season but with being told he will not have access to funds to improve the squad and with five days before the start of the season this will come as a big blow for the fans.

But it now seems that Villa are selling off their best players with Gareth Barry leaving for Manchester City last season and both James Milner and Ashley Young look likey to be on their way out with Tottenham leading the chase for Young, Chairman Randy Lerner will be flying back to the UK today to hold a meeting with the first team players hoping to convince the players to stay. Martin O'Neill has always been a man about principle so it is safe to assume that he did not walk out on Aston Villa because he was not offered a pay rise.


Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been installed as bookies favourite to take over at Villa and Eriksson as always expressed his desire to return to the Premier League.Sven currently not in charge of a club after leaving his post as Ivory Coast manager after the World Cup could be tempted to join Villa.

Sources close to the 62-year-old said: "Of course, Sven would be interested in this job.

"He has always said that he would like to go back into the Premier League. It is a big target for him."

FOOTBALL: Martin O'Neill: James Milner wants to leave Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager has today confirmed that England international James Milner wants to leave the Midlanders, speculation has been gathering that Manchester City are interested in signing the winger and now Milner has confirmed to Martin O'Neill that he wants to leave Aston Villa.

Manchester City are a step closer to signing Milner, but Villa say they will only sell at the right price. Should City come up with a reasonable offer for the England midfielder, Milner has turned down a offer of a new contract, which would of made him Villa's best paid player, but he heart is now set on a move away from the Midlands.