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FOOTBALL

Villa could delay new manager search until the summer

Steve Madeley
The Times
Villa’s plans to appoint a successor to Garde may have to wait until after a takeover
Villa’s plans to appoint a successor to Garde may have to wait until after a takeover
MIKE EGERTON/PA
Steve Madeley
The Times

Aston Villa claim a £100 million takeover is edging closer but have admitted that the negotiations have delayed the hunt for a new manager.

Villa today revealed that they have identified potential new owners with Steve Hollis, the chairman, still in talks over ending the reign of Randy Lerner, the American billionaire.

However, the club said the search for a permanent replacement for Rémi Garde is “inextricably linked” to the takeover, meaning an appointment could be delayed until well into the summer.

Hollis said: “We are in very constructive negotiations which could lead to the sale of the club to a new owner.

“There has been no shortage of parties who would like to own Aston Villa but our negotiations are now with those parties that we believe will have the passion and ambition to return the club to winning the highest honours in European football.

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“The appointment of the manager is at this time inextricably linked to the current negotiations.”

The club confirmed, meanwhile, that the traditional end-of-season lap of appreciation will not take place after tomorrow’s final home game against Newcastle United.