Following the dismissal of the Premier League's chief custodian of misery - Remi 'what seems to be the problem' Garde - Sky Sports despatched an intrepid reporter to the Aviva to ask Martin O'Neill whether he was interested in taking the job once again. Speculation about managerial positions are one of the favoured topics of Sky Sports News - it is partly a reason so many managers are sacked - so their editors evidently assumed it was a question worth asking.
O'Neill disagreed:
O'Neill is currently preparing for a major tournament; a competition for which he qualified in thrilling circumstances, including a win against the world champions, leaving him in a pretty solid bargaining position for a renewed contract ahead of qualifying for the World Cup in 2018.
We think he would prefer that than a step down into the Championship with the current gang of jokers masquerading as footballers for Villa. (Jack Grea Ciaran Clark excepted).
O'Neill was also asked whether Roy Keane would fancy the main role with the club he has previously served as assistant manager:
He was smiling. Asked about Keane maybe going to Villa: "I'd be very disappointed if he left tomorrow."
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 29, 2016
Villa will have to look elsewhere.
