BIRMINGHAM (DF) -- Aston Villa's under-pressure manager Gerard Houllier has hit back at critics who have suggested there is a sense of disharmony emanating from his squad by declaring the club are a united front, despite allegations of training ground bust-ups, player rebellions, and binge drinking.
The Villa boss has been under the gun since taking over from Martin O'Neill at the start of the season, due in part to his inability to replicate the Northern Irishman's success. Frenchman Houllier has struggled to retain control of his players and appears to have lost the support of Villa supporters, with many in the terraces during the 1-0 home defeat to local rivals Wolves calling for him to be sacked.
"Everyone is entitled to think what they want but I took the job because it was a challenge," said the former Lyon manager. "The challenge is bigger now because of what happened but sometimes you battle to get in Europe or a cup. Sometimes you dig yourself a hole and you have to dig deeper to find a way out."
In spite of a tsumani of negative press suggesting rampant player discontent, several senior Villa players have taken to the media in recent days to lend support to their besieged manager. American goalkeeper Brad Friedel claimed the Villa squad are fully behind Houllier and remain committed to the task at hand.
"We're all professionals," said stalwart Friedel. "The players are only thinking about keeping the club in the Premier League. We don't have time to worry about our odd tactics, who's going to be manager next week, why we're taking trips to spas during the middle of the season, or why, with such a talented squad, we're not pushing for Europe. Right now, staying up is our one and only concern."
"We just have to hang in there for eight more games," lamented the experienced American. "Whatever happens after that will happen. It's not in our hands. Until we're told to say otherwise, everyone here is behind the manager 100%."
England manager Fabio Capello plans to risk the wrath of the Wembley faithful by sending out a team of reserves to face Ghana on Tuesday. Capello insists he will keep the regulars on the bench in reserve for when the regular reserves flounder against the World Cup quarterfinalists. -- (Daily Mail)
Arsenal wonderkid Aaaron Ramsey will resign as Wales captain as early as next week, citing a consensus in the press that his lack of experience, and not the inept tactical gameplan laid out by Welsh manager Gary Speed, caused the team to lose 2-0 against England on Saturday. -- (Daily Mirror)
Wayne Rooney has hit out at the England coaching staff for not reminding him he was on a yellow card before Saturday's game in Wales. Rooney claimed he had "no idea" he had picked up a yellow card earlier in the campaign, and that he "shouldn't have to care" about being booked for petulant challenges. -- (Daily Star)
Disgruntled Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out future move to manage Manchester United by saying he would require at least a £20 million salary and a transfer budget in excess of £150 million if he were to return to England. United would only be able to offer a transfer budget of that size by selling their entire first team squad and Old Trafford. -- (Daily Express)
Blackburn manager Steve Kean is keen on bringing Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy back to the Premier League, but the move could be scuppered by Hamburg's asking price for the player. The former PSV hitman has been shopped around on a free transfer, a price much too low to meet Blackburn owners Venky's demands for a headline-grabbing, big money signing. -- (The Guardian)
Manchester United's glass midfielder Owen Hargreaves fears he will be out for the remainder of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in training. The club's medical staff hopes the former England international will be fit in time for the start of the 2013-2014 Premier League season. -- (Daily Mail)
Aston Villa's American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has denied media claims of a player revolt against under-fire manager Gerard Houllier by insisting the Villa players will stand by their manager until he's sacked at the end of the season. -- (Telegraph)
