PAUL LAMBERT is among the contenders to succeed Alex McLeish at Aston Villa after the former Rangers and Scotland manager was sacked yesterday less than a year into the job.
Villa just avoided relegation from the Barclays Premier League by two points, prompting owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner to take the decision to bring McLeish's 11-month tenure to an end.
The Scot had been an unpopular choice as manager after relegating rivals Birmingham City the previous season and, although he had stressed this would be a season of transition, the Villa board felt he had underperformed in his time in charge after finishing the season winless in their final 10 matches.
A club statement read: "Aston Villa can confirm that Alex McLeish's contract has been terminated with immediate effect. The club has been disappointed with results, performances and the general message these have sent to our fans. The board wishes to assure supporters we are conscious in every sense that Villa expects and deserves more and we will strive to deliver this."
Lambert has emerged as an early favourite to fill the vacancy after taking Norwich City to 12th place in their first season back in the top flight. But David McNally, the Norwich City chief executive, warned any approach for his manager would not be entertained.
"If I was at another club and was looking for another manager he'd be top of my list," he said. "But we are focused on keeping our manager and top players.
"I want other clubs to covet our manager and to want our players, because, if they do, that means that we're doing something right."
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