Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is to be offered "the longest managerial contract in the Premiership" if American billionaire Randy Lerner's £62.6million sterling takeover goes through.
A spokesman for Lerner, chairman of the MBNA credit card company and owner of the Cleveland Browns, claimed the Irishman would be offered a six-year deal — he is currently on a one-year rolling contract at Villa Park.
The spokesman told the Daily Mirror: "Martin is going to be offered a new long-term deal. It will be the longest managerial contract in the Premiership."
O'Neill, 54, who joined the club 11 days ago, is expected to earn up to £15million from the contract.
One of Lerner's British-based advisers told the Daily Mail: "He [O'Neill] signed the 12-month agreement because he wanted time to work with the players and find out what they were about ahead of the season.
"He was slightly worried that if he didn't take the job when he did he would have absolutely no idea of their capabilities going into the new season.
"He took a slight risk because the deal had not been done. He will be well looked after, no question."
Villa made a statement to the Stock Exchange yesterday recommending shareholders accept the bid from Lerner.