Sacked Villa Boss Says He Was Hired To 'Cut Wages'

12 February 2015, 15:48 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

After Paul Lambert was sacked from Aston Villa last night, he's released a statement saying he was hired to cut the wage bill.

He also called it's the 'toughest challenge' of his working life and says he's 'proud' of his time at the club.

Lambert was sacked last night after Villa fell into the Premier League's relegation zone.

Lambert said in a statement issued through the League Managers' Association: "I am extremely proud to have managed Aston Villa, a founder member of the Football League, and this sentiment will always remain with me.

"My initial remit was to conduct a massive overhaul of the playing squad, lower the overall wage structure of the playing staff and achieve this whilst keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League.

"There was also a concerted effort to purchase and develop younger players who would provide a solid footing for the football club to move forward and enhance the value of the playing squad in the future.

"When I came on board the club's owner, Randy Lerner, warned me that I was embarking on the toughest challenge of my working life and he was not wrong.

"But I have never stepped away from hard work and I put my heart and soul into the job from my first day until my last.''