O'Neill given permission to exit VillaAston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has been given to the all clear to become the next England manager if he was to be offered the position.
Villa chairman Randy Lerner confirmed: "I would not stand in his way. I don't know if I necessarily have any great insight on that subject. That would be between Martin and the FA.
"I think to some extent there is some welcome flattery in the whole thing.
"Obviously, they would be interested in Martin because of the way he has handled himself at Aston Villa.
"That speaks well so far of his first year and the first part of this season.
"As a newcomer, I am reluctant to make too much comment but it is clearly one of the great honours you can achieve in football to be coach of a national team.
"If that were to happen I suppose you would have to admire that kind of achievement and opportunity. I would not stand in his way.
"But I certainly hope he is here with Villa for the long term."
He continued: "I think the strength of the Villa squad is the feeling that he is moving forward. There have been some good examples of how well he has brought the team together and getting more out of the group.
"As such, I consider Martin to be one of the strongest managers in the game.
"I have no doubt that he could be a highly successful national coach.
"I think what Martin has undoubtedly is very difficult to define - passion to lead and passion to compete. He is able to express his ideas very effectively and in a way which is very compelling.
"Martin is integral to our plans for Villa. If he left it would leave us needing to get to work pretty quickly I suppose. But it is something I have never speculated upon.
"It is not unthinkable but it something you do not want to spend too much time on because it not something you can prepare for. It would have to be dealt with if and when it happened."
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