Tim Sherwood: booted out

Struggling Aston Villa FC have parted ways with their coach, Tim Sherwood, just ten months after being hired.

It appears Saturday’s match between the team and Swansea was the last straw. Aston Villa fell at home 1-2 to the visitors and sank 19th on the League table, with only four points after 10 matches.

According to a statement on the club’s website, Assistant manager Ray Wilkins, first-team coach Mark Robson and performance analyst Seamus Brady have also left with immediate effect.

The club management said it parted ways with Sherwood because it was not satisfied with his performance.

“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,” said the statement.

The club said it has commenced the search for a new manager, while the squad will be managed in the interim by Kevin MacDonald.

Sherwood, 46 years old, began his coaching career at Tottenham Hotspur, progressing from assistant first team coach to manager in a five-year spell, then managing the club from December 2013 to his dismissal in May 2014.

He resumed his managerial career at Aston Villa in February 2015, taking them to that season’s FA Cup final and saving them from relegation from the Premier League.

As a player, Sherwood was a midfielder from 1987 until 2005, notably as captain of Blackburn Rovers’ Premier League title-winning side in 1995.

He also played for Watford, Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and Coventry City. He made three appearances for the England national team in 1999.

*Background details from Wikipedia