Row over compensation blocks Villa’s bid to appoint Lambert
ASTON Villa and Norwich are set for a dramatic dispute over the former’s desire to appoint Paul Lambert as their new manager after the Scot demanded he be allowed to leave for Villa Park.
Norwich have already refused Lambert’s resignation as the highly-rated 42-year-old fights to succeed the sacked Alex McLeish at Villa but his departure remains very probable and is likely to be concluded once compensation has been agreed between the two clubs.
“The club regrets to confirm that Paul Lambert has offered his resignation whilst discussions with another club are taking place,” said a statement from Norwich, who Lambert has inspired to mid-table in the Premier League from League One in just three seasons.
The developments contrast those between Liverpool and Swansea, where compensation of between £4million and £5m has been agreed to allow the Anfield club to install Brendan Rodgers as manager.
The Welsh club have already begun planning for Rodgers’s exit and, in a bid to maintain the consistency they have enjoyed in recent years, look set to approach Wigan assistant manager Graeme Jones, who assisted Latics boss Roberto Martinez when he coached the Swans prior to Rodgers’s appointment at the club.