Black leaves Villa after caretaker role

London (AFP) – Eric Black left relegated Aston Villa on Tuesday following the recent arrival of new manager Roberto di Matteo.

Black took over as Villa’s caretaker manager following the sacking of Remi Garde in March, but the 52-year-old failed to win a single game as his team crashed out of the Premier League.

Villa’s new Chinese owner Tony Xia picked Di Matteo, who won the Champions League as Chelsea manager, as Garde’s permanent successor at the Championship club earlier this month.

The Italian brought in former West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke as his assistant.

That left no space for Black, who lost six and drew one of his seven games in charge, and he departs Villa Park along with goalkeeping coach Tony Parks.

“Aston Villa Football Club would like to thank Eric Black for his efforts last season, especially in his role as interim manager, and wishes him well in the future now he has left the club,” a Villa statement read.

“Tony Parks has left his role as goalkeeping coach. We would like to thank him and he also goes with our best wishes for the future.”