Staunton's massive pay cut - December 8, 2000
Steve Staunton has taken a massive £13,000-a-week pay CUT in search of first-team football. Aston Villa unveiled their new signing at a press conference yesterday and the Irish international revealed that his new pay packet will be £15,000 a week - down from the £28,000 a week he was on at Liverpool.
Staunton also revealed that his new ambition is to help Villa pip Liverpool for a Champions' League slot next year!
The Dundalk-born full back said he knew his days at Anfield were numbered once Roy Evans was ousted as joint manager and added: "Gerard (Houllier) liked having me around the place but he didn't see me in his plans for playing football. I didn't go there to coach kids. I want to be playing football."
Staunton, who walked out on Villa on a Bosman transfer in 1998, says he expects a mixed reaction from the Villa Park fans - but claims he's not worried.
"Hopefully they will see that I gave them seven good years. I will try to let my football do the talking," Stan promised.
Villa manager John Gregory said: "When they hear he's taken a massive pay cut to join Villa they will probably chant: 'There's only one generous bastard …'!".