By David Hamill

Some rumours in the tabloids seem to suggest that Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is being sounded out as a possible replacement for under-fire Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez. But why would the Irishman even contemplate swapping the stability and class of Villa’s owner, Randy Lerner, for the behind the scenes farce that’s ensuing at Anfield?   The good thing about Lerner is that he is very rarely reported in the press. He has remained firmly in the background and allowed O’Neill to get on with the job. Perhaps this can change given a disastrous run of form, but you can only go on what has occurred at the midlands club since the American’s takeover.

That’s a total contrast to the constant bickering and wrangling with Lerner’s fellow countrymen at Liverpool, who seem hell-bent on wrecking the club’s finances and plotting with and against each other.

Joint managers didn’t work with Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier and neither do joint owners. One person has to make the final decision.

As long as they are still in charge, it will be difficult for the club to attract a top class manager given the circumstances. This is not to say Tom Hicks and George Gillet are fully responsible for the club’s decline however – Rafa Benitez has still had the time and money over the last five years to build a side that can cope without one or two key players.

However, it was wrong for the pair to go behind Benitez’s back two years ago when they tried to lure Jurgen Klinsmann. Perhaps the Spaniard should have walked when he was shown nothing but contempt.

Liverpool have always been a well run club that look after their supporters, but the time has come when even managers like O’Neill - a very good one but yet to be given the opportunity to take over a big four club - will gladly rebuff any approach.