Glenn Whelan discovered Aston Villa release via missed calls and says he won’t retire with ‘Real Madrid on the phone’

Glenn Whelan discovered Aston Villa release via missed calls and says he won’t retire with ‘Real Madrid on the phone’
Glenn Whelan discovered he had been released by Premier League-bound Aston Villa over the phone – from two missed calls!The 35-year-old, currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, was unavailable when manager Dean Smith called him days after the club’s Championship play-off final victory over Derby.Getty Images - Getty1

Whelan’s Villa career ended in perfect fashion, with the club ending their three-year exile from the Premier League with victory in the Championship play-off final

Whelan said: “There was only one disappointment for me. I went away on the Tuesday with the family and when I landed back in here on Tuesday I had two missed calls, one from a journalist saying I’d been released and one from the manager to give him a call.“From that point of view it was disappointing, but something I expected to be honest.”Whelan, however, will leave Villa Park with his head held high.Asked about the win at Wembley, he said: “It was a great day, a great occasion. I signed two years at Aston Villa to get them back in the Premier League and I got them there, so for me, mission complete. “To be released wasn’t a surprise, obviously what stage I’m at in my career and where Aston Villa want to go.“I’m very pleased with what I’ve achieved over the last few seasons.”Whelan did eventually speak to Smith and insisted that the pair parted on good terms.He said: “We just congratulated each other, wished each other all the best and that was it. There were no hard feelings – I’ve been in the game too long to hold grudges.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT
• Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
• Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) talkSPORT
• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT

“No listen, I want to wish Aston Villa all the best, thank them for my time there, thank the fans, everyone that was involved. We had some good times.”Asked if he intends to play on, the midfielder said with a smile: “Definitely. I’ve just had Real Madrid on the phone there before I came in.”

---

Former Chelsea striker, Tony Cascarino, has blamed Jose Mourinho for Romelu Lukaku's poor form at Manchester United. The Belgium striker started the season on a bright note, netting four goals, but has yet to score since September. His poor run of form has seen him dropped to the bench in recent clashes against Everton and Manchester City.
Jose Mourinho backs Romelu Lukaku despite Manchester - mirror

---

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri insists Kepa Arrizabalaga remains his number one goalkeeper despite dropping him to the bench for the 2-0 victory over Tottenham. The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri insists Kepa Arrizabalaga row is

---

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Uefa close to agreeing price cap on away tickets in Champions

---

Gordon Banks OBE (30 December 1937 - 12 February 2019) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.He made 679 appearances during a 20-year professional career, and won 73 caps for England, highlighted by starting every game of the nation's 1966 World Cup victory.

---

I think I've just about reached breaking point. Whatever fun is left from the spectacle of football - which still brings me great joy, and is rarely bettered than Liverpool's first goal at Watford - is lost in the maelstrom of hate, negativity and just downright nastiness.
Archive | Monday 16th April 2018 | Express.co.uk

---

If you're new, Subscribe! →

---

Doncaster vs Charlton: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time, and team news for the League One play-off clash What time does Doncaster vs Charlton kick off? For further details of our
Charlton vs Sunderland LIVE: Bauer scores in injury time to

---

Eric Bailly - Should Arsenal sign this Man United reject? we do not want or need another Manchester United The Ivory Coast international has clearly not had
Man Utd reject Arsenal loan bid for defender Bailly - Football365

---

Fans were in disbelief as Raheem Sterling 'stole' Gabriel Jesus' FA Cup final goal against Watford on Saturday. Jesus had tapped the ball past Hornets goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, but only for
Manchester City vs Watford: Fans in disbelief after Raheem

---

Make that 10 wins from 11 games now for Manchester United as they swept aside Fulham on Saturday afternoon. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unbeaten run in charge of the Red Devils continued as a brace
Manchester United vs Man City LIVE - dailymail.co.uk

---

~ Tottenham team news: Predicted XI to face Everton in the Premier League with Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris back ~ Kenya Latest
Tottenham vs Everton predictions: Tottenham line-up

---

West Midlands rivals Aston Villa and West Brom go head-to-head today in a huge Championship match and it'll be live on talkSPORT 2. The Baggies are currently ten points ahead of Villa in the table as they continue to push for an automatic promotion place.
West Brom vs Aston Villa live on talkSPORT: Commentary

---