Want-away defender Gareth Southgate has quit as captain of Aston Villa and remains on the transfer list as he continues his search for a new club. The England international met with club officials today in an effort to resolve differences stemming from his transfer request last summer.
The 30-year-old resigned his position as club captain today after recently revealing that his desire to leave the club had made holding the captaincy difficult. In a statement on www.icons.com, Southgate admitted: "I have had a meeting with the chairman Doug Ellis and manager John Gregory and having given very careful consideration to my protracted position, I have advised the manager of the following decision. I have been extremely proud to serve Aston Villa as captain since 1997, but now feel the present situation compromises this role, and as such have resigned as captain forthwith."
Southgate has enjoyed six years at Villa since his move from Crystal Palace, but came under pressure from the Villa Park boo boys earlier this season when he aired his frustrations in the media. He claimed Villa were a selling club and lacked ambition having seen the likes of Dwight Yorke, Mark Bosnich and Ugo Ehiogu leave for pastures new.
He added: "I didn't feel comfortable being captain this year because I felt, having asked to leave, it would be hypocritical of me to be the voice in the dressing room. Sometimes it isn't healthy for the club to have someone who patently wants to get away being spokesman for the club and being the manager's voice in the dressing room, so it's strained things in that respect."
The ambitious defender has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool in recent months, but no firm offers have been made as yet.
Filed by Shane Murray
