Filed under: Aston Villa, Birmingham, Championship, Premier League, Football
Ever since his arrival in England in 2006, Randy Lerner's love affair with the Aston Villa faithful has been virtually untainted, yet his move for Alex McLeish threatens to plunge that relationship into jeopardy.A matter of days after the Villans were snubbed by Roberto Martinez, the Scot, who quit as manager of bitter rivals Birmingham via email on Sunday, has emerged as their new No. 1 target.
It is a highly controversial move - for more than one reason. Somewhat understandably, Villa supporters are in uproar that the board deem a manager who suffered two relegations with their sworn enemy good enough to manage their beloved club.
Over 10,000 people have signed up to a Facebook page entitled 'Aston Villa Supporters - We don't want Alex McLeish' and a protest has been planned at Villa Park for 5pm on Tuesday.
But that is not the only battle Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner are locked in. Villa and Birmingham are at loggerheads, with City refusing to accept McLeish's resignation and insistent the Scot cannot open talks.
They are prepared to put the Scot on 'gardening leave' and use injunctions to deny Lerner talking to McLeish until compensation - they want over £5 million - is agreed.
Villa, however, have infuriated Blues by insisting they are entitled to open discussions with McLeish because the 52-year-old resigned, in their opinion making him a free agent.
McLeish is pursuing a case for constructive dismissal, claiming interference from the Blues board and, if he wins, it will enable him to walk away for free.
The Scot only signed a new three-year deal with Blues in September, though, and the club are determined his £5.4 million release fee will be met.
That figure will fall to £3 million on July 1, however, when the ex-Scotland manager reaches the end of the first year of that deal.
Acting Blues chairman Peter Pannu said: "I will be getting an injunction preventing Villa from hiring him. Either Villa pick up his tab or I will be reporting them to the Premier League.
"Aston Villa's confirmation that they are free now to speak to him confirms all of my suspicions and with a bit more evidence I will be reporting this.
"I will fight all the way. The rules are there for a reason. I don't want Alex McLeish back. If he is going to go I want the money. This is like a conspiracy to defraud. This is borderline criminal. That's how strong I will put it."
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