It is breaking this evening that Paul Lambert has resigned from his position at Carrow Road after furiously reacting to the news that the Norwich City board had refused Aston Villa permission to talk to him regarding the Villa Park vacancy.
It is, however, unlikely that such an audacious move by Lambert will mean that Villa will be able to escape paying compensation despite the Scot’s attempt at forcing the issue, and Norwich will undoubtedly be quick to fight their corner for some reparation if they are to lose their overachieving manager.
After Roberto Martinez decided yesterday that he was committed to Wigan Athletic, Villa will have wanted to move quickly to install a manager as fans have become increasingly worried after a second rejection by a young manager.
Lambert, known for his ambition, has guided Norwich City to back-to-back promotions after taking the job at Carrow Road following a period with Colchester.
Whilst some fans may not be overly inspired by Lambert as a candidate for the job, there is no doubt that his appointment would prove a galvanising force at the club given a rocky period under Alex McLeish – achieving back to back promotions is a massive achievement.
Concern amongst fans seems to revolve around similarities with former manager Martin O’Neill in that Lambert seems predisposed to British players, something that many fans were hoping to see a move away from after the pursuit of Martinez and young Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, circumstances may change if Lambert is presented with a healthy budget, something that most fans will consider a necessity no matter who is appointed as the club look to rebuild a team that has become tired and depleted as a result of star player sales and the effect of time on some of the more senior players.
Obviously should there be any further announcement, we will keep you posted but, for now at least, it seems like the candidate who will assume the Villa hotseat will be Paul Lambert as there is no other explanation for his spontaneous resignation unless he is certain Randy Lerner will offer him the job.
More to follow later as this breaking story develops.
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