© EuroFootball.com
Birmingham announced on Wednesday that head coach David O'Leary has left the team by mutual agreement. His duties will be temporarily taken over by former assistant Roy Aitken.
The 48-year-old Irishman left the team after Aston Villa management began an investigation to determine who initiated the player behavior called a strike - a recent statement criticizing club president Doug Ellis was released.
In the club's statement, it is stated that although no blame was found on D. O'Leary, it was decided that parting ways would be the best solution for both sides. The statement also mentions that compensation for the contract termination has been agreed upon.
D. O'Leary took over the Birmingham team in June 2003 and in the first season led the team to an impressive sixth place in the English Championship. However, the team struggled later: in the 2004-2005 season, the team finished tenth, and in the last season - just sixteenth.
O'Leary's departure was likely also prompted by his unpopularity among the team's fans, and, according to experts, Aston Villa demonstrated tactically immature and dull play.
