Goals on Sunday: Stiliyan Petrov to focus on Leukemia recovery over return to Aston Villa
Former midfielder will not replace Roy Keane as No.2 at Villa Park
Monday 8 December 2014 08:02, UK
Former Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has ruled out an immediate return to the club in a managerial capacity as he continues to recover from Leukaemia.
With assistant manager Roy Keane leaving the club at the end of last month, sections of the Villa support have called for Petrov’s return as Paul Lambert’s No 2.
But when asked if he would consider a role, the Bulgarian explained his recovery from the illness which forced his retirement from the game in 2013 would take precedence over a move back into football at any level.
“I’ve been invited a few times to go back to Villa but I’ve found it is way too soon,” Petrov told Goals on Sunday.
“I’ve not had the energy to work with young boys or been able to cope with the long days. I have been approached a couple of times, not only by Villa but by other clubs also, but I’m not ready yet.
“I have plans to do little bits and pieces when I have finished my treatment but at the moment, everything is on hold.
“I love going to see the boys now at the training ground, having a bit of a laugh and going to watch them play. You never know though, but it is far off at the moment.”
After a promising start to the campaign, Villa have endured a dismal run in the Premier League, with much of the blame attributed to manager Lambert.
But Petrov stopped short of criticising his former Celtic team-mate and instead suggested the club should alter their approach to matters off the field to improve the clubs prospects on it.
“They are going through a difficult time but it’s expected, all clubs go through difficult times,” Petrov added.
“But it’s up to Villa (how they change their fortunes). Obviously they have struggled for the last three years and they have decided not to spend much money and cut the wage bill.
“But they forget that in order to survive in the Premier League you have to spend money. If you don’t spend you can’t be surprised that other clubs are overtaking you and that you are way behind them.
“It’s something they have tried to fix but at the moment it’s not paying off for some reason.”
