Faulkner quits as Villa chief executive
ASTON Villa has confirmed that Paul Faulkner is to step down from his role as chief executive of the club.
The announcement comes just 24 hours after club owner Randy Lerner said he was turning his full attention to setting up Villa ready for the new Premier League season as no buyer had been found for the club.
Prior to his joining Villa, Faulkner had worked closely with Lerner in a variety of roles within his organisation.
The club said today that it had been unable to reach an agreement with him regarding “his re-engaging with the chairman’s broader business while remaining involved with Villa in a non-operational role”.
It said the departure had been on good terms and he had offered his support to Villa to ensure a smooth transition.
Robin Russell, who was recruited by Lerner in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer, will step up to Chief Executive in order to maintain continuity.
Faulkner said in a statement on the club’s website: “I would like to thank Randy Lerner for the opportunity to become involved with Aston Villa and for the relationship we built over years, which pre-dated my time at the club.
“To the Villa fans, I am grateful for their support over the years, and for their passionate love for and loyalty to this great club, which deserves the very best.
“I would like to make particular reference to the wonderful Villa staff both at Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park. They are an incredible group of people and it’s been a privilege to lead and work with them on a daily basis. Villa is best in class in so many ways off the field and I only hope that success on the pitch follows.”
He said he felt very humbled to have been able to spend such a long period of time with the club.
“I wish Paul Lambert and the squad all the very best for the future as I look to embark on the next stage of my career and a new challenge,” he added.
Lerner added: “Paul has been fantastic in his role at Villa and more broadly as a colleague over the years. I offer him my deepest thanks.”
