And the incoming manager has permission to top it up with
whatever cash he can raise through summer sales.
Despite Norwich’s desperate attempts to reject their manager’s
resignation, Lambo is expected to be confirmed as Villa’s manager
by the weekend — as SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday.
Randy Lerner, Villa’s American owner, and chief executive Paul
Faulkner met Lambert and agent Athole Still in the Midlands last
night.
Lerner spelled out the need for Lambert to shake Villa out of
last season’s lethargy and funds will be available to make any
changes he feels necessary.
However, there will be no return to the mega spending of Martin
O’Neill’s early days at Villa Park.
Villa finished perilously close to disaster last season, just
two points clear of the relegation zone with a patched-up
squad.
Last night’s meeting left Lambert in no doubt he will be backed
to hire and fire whoever he wants — regardless of reputation — to
restore Villa’s standing.
Lerner was stung by accusations he had lost his passion for the
club last season as Villa limped along under Alex McLeish.
Saddled with debts of £54m from the previous season, McLeish was
handed less than half of the £36m raised by the sales of Ashley
Young and Stewart Downing.
McLeish’s biggest buy, £9.5m winger Charles N’Zogbia, flopped
and will be one of those in jeopardy under Lambert.
Big Eck, recruited from Birmingham last summer, was sacked after
just one season in charge.
Lambert will have more scope to rebuild, with the departures of
big earners Emile Heskey, Carlos Cuellar and Brad Guzan this summer
easing Villa’s payload for the third straight summer. Now Lambert
will be given the green light to justify the club’s decision not to
appoint a director of football.
Norwich last night maintained they had not accepted Lambert’s
resignation. SunSport understands there is a clause in his contract
allowing him to speak to Premier League clubs.
The Canaries are now unlikely to collect anywhere near the
compensation Liverpool paid Swansea for new man Brendan
Rodgers.
Although the clubs will battle over a fee, Norwich will do well
to receive £1million, as Lambo was only on a one-year rolling
deal.
Lerner wants Lambert to revive Villa in the same way he guided
Norwich to two promotions and 12th place back in the top
flight.